Grayslake youth center gets boost

The late summer heat blast didn't melt the enthusiasm Sunday at the third annual Cruisin' for the Kids Car Show in Grayslake.

A good crowd converged on the downtown area to take in the vintage cars, music, food and other activities at the event to assist the The Oasis/Grayslake Youth Center.

"This is the major fundraiser for us," said Joyce Campbell, president of the not-for profit organization. "It gives the kids a place to go and be with their friends. No one will yell at them if they put their feet up on the furniture."

The center for kids ages 12 to 18 is free Monday through Thursday and $5 on Fridays and Saturdays, when live music is abundant. The center provides a safe environment for teens to relax and mingle and includes a study area, movie area, a snack bar and a stage.

"Originally, we had to look for bands. Now they find us," Campbell said. The center has six employees and an operating budget of about $70,000 per year.

The Oasis is in an old park district building next to the Tastee Freez in downtown Grayslake that was donated to the organization, gutted and rehabbed in 2007.

"We're a stand-alone organization so we don't get any tax money," Campbell said. "We serve between 18,000 and 20,000 kids a year. That's a lot."

The first rib throwdown scheduled for Sept. 18 in downtown Grayslake also will benefit The Oasis.