COURTESY PHOTO The Journal
The new center, pictured for the Harlem Community Center is a big plus and benefit to the community.

To start out, some history from the HCC website:

“A handful of concerned citizens of Harlem Township banded together in 1957 to provide constructive adult leadership and safe recreational opportunity for the many hundreds of children in the community.

“Calling themselves the Harlem Youth Council, they were granted a State Charter as a not-for-profit corporation on June 21, 1957. Our founders’ purpose, expressed in the original Charter, provided a firm foundation upon which to build.

“In its first year, 200 people utilized its programs. In 1967 that number grew to 1,200. “Today, Harlem Community Center has grown into a regional outreach agency providing services and opportunities to over 100,000 individuals a year.

“Three acres of land were given to the Center in 1966 and an old church was donated and moved to our present site; before it could be put to use, the building was totally destroyed by fire in April 1967.

“Encouraged by the generous financial support of local industry and business, our neighbors and friends pitched in with a special Fund Drive which enabled us to replace the destroyed structure with a new two-level Center. Rising literally from the ashes, we have a small gymnasium, two classrooms, a convertible three-room recreation area, kitchen, office space, washroom, and storage.

“HCC currently operates out of three locations. HCC’s administrative facility is located in the Village of Machesney Park. This 13,400 square-foot facility is home to the administrative offices, two full size gymnasiums, and classrooms, along with a day care center.

“The HCC/Wentland Sport Complex, located in Loves Park, is a 32-acre facility created to meet the needs for open green space and for both passive and active recreational opportunities. It currently has 15 ball diamonds (4-6 tournament quality), basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, a walking path, and SkateWorks.

“HCC also built a 27,000 square-foot building (now in operation) for the Hand-n-Hand Early Childcare Center at 900 Roosevelt Road.”

The new structure is located just east of Harlem School District’s administrative offices and bus barn.

HCC was one of eight projects awarded funding through the Rebuild Illinois initiative, receiving an $8.9 million Early Childhood construction grant for the new facility. The 40,000 square foot structure called Heart of the Parks Learning Center replaces the 1957 Harlem Community Center building. Class rooms are handicapped accessible, and additional staff members were added in the childcare department.

Executive Director Shannon Scheffel, who wrote and submitted the grant request through the State of Illinois,  explains the facility is now be able to serve seniors and over 300 children in early education. Childcare is also available for low and moderate-income families, which adheres to the  Center’s mission to not only being able to serve over 300 children but also offering senior citizen services.

Also, there is now the availability to rent out the community room for special events, making the new facility a very viable local option.

Many goings on are being planned by the Center also, such as Adult Music Bingo on Friday, March 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. ($15 a person) that includes two pieces of pizza, salad, coffee or tea, along with the ability to “bring your adult beverage” with you. Additionally, a “Grand Ball” is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 6 to 8:30 p.m. for $10 a person (“Bring your special child for an evening of elegance and fun.”)

Registration is now being taken for baseball and softball at the HCC/Wentland Sports Complex with an opening day of May 31…practices being in May and games end by mid-August.

The HCC “Heart of the Parks” Early Learning Center hours are Monday through Friday with a four-day minimum attendance…$50 due at registration. Call 815-633-5818 to register. More information can be found at the Center’s web site, which is www.harlemcommunitycenter.org.

 
 
 
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