Youth Center Leaves 'Bad Taste' in Neighbors' Mouths

With the Broadway Youth Center splitting up its services between temporary Lake View locations, neighbors say they’re concerned the center’s less than admirable past might be dragged along with it.

The center, which is a part of the Howard Brown Health Center, announced its permanent move from 3179 N. Broadway—above The Laugh Factory—in early December. It serves roughly 4,000 at-risk and homeless youth annually.

Representatives say they’ve temporarily split services between the Broadway United Methodist Church and Howard Brown’s offices on the corner of Broadway and Irving Park Road. But since then, the church and group’s leaders have been working to convince neighbors this temporary situation won’t cause any troubles.

“In the past we’ve had a lot of gangs hanging around, we had people harassing others and going into stores (causing trouble), so unfortunately it's left a bad taste in our mouth,” said local resident and East Lake View Chamber Executive Director Maureen Martino at the latest Belmont Harbor Neighbors meeting.

“The statistics are there,” she continued. “There are almost 5,000 kids that go through this organization, and maybe 10 or 20 are causing trouble. So you have this wonderful organization that has a small percent that are bad, but it’s still put a bad taste in our mouths.”

"...it’s already been going on here and people haven’t even been aware, which is a good thing."

And while the BYC is supposed to find a new location for its services by May 1, officials with the church say things are different now. Cindy Grissom, the community outreach coordinator with the church, says she’s been working closely with representatives from the center.

While BYC Director Lara Brooks could not be reached for comment, Grissom and Pastor Bernice Thorn say they’ve been working closely with her team to ensure the program’s success with a minimal impact on the neighborhood.

“I think we have to hope that with all these new changes there can be a positive move forward,” Grissom said. “It’s just (at the church) until April, and it’s already been going on here and people haven’t even been aware, which is a good thing.”

The Belmont Harbor group asked the duo to present a plan of operations to neighboring residents so they know when the at-risk youth will be in the area for programmed events.

Representatives from Howard Brown are also slated to attend an upcoming East Lake View Neighbors meeting regarding their temporary location on Sheridan. Board members at Tuesday’s meeting expressed reservations to services being given in the neighborhood.

But during this temporary situation, employees say they’re trying to instill a sense of respect for the community.

“A success story is a youth that comes into our space, feels safe, gets a good home-cooked meal and leaves feeling better,” Grissom said. “One of our members calls this a work of love. That’s where we’re at right now, but where we go in the future, that’s to be decided. But we let them know that when they leave our doors, they need to be good neighbors.”

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The center's schedule is as follows:

Broadway United Methodist Church 
3338 N. Broadway
773-935-3151

Health Services Clinic and Daily STI/STD Testing Services, Mon., Tues., Thurs.: Noon – 6 p.m.; Friday, Noon – 5 p.m.; 1st, 3rd, & 5th Sat., Noon – 5 p.m.

Drop-In, Every Friday & 1st, 3rd, & 5th Saturday, Noon – 5 p.m.
Showers are offered Mon., Tues., & Thurs., 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Howard Brown Health Center – Lakeview
3837 N. Broadway
773-935-3151

Education/Vocation: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Available Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Call 773.935.3151 to schedule an appointment.

Counseling: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Available Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Call 773.935.3151 to schedule an appointment.

LGBTQ Youth Groups

HBHC Lakeview – 3837 N. Broadway:
EBAN: 1st and 3rd Tues.: 6 – 8 p.m.
TYRA: Thurs., 6 – 8 p.m.
BUMC – 3338 N. Broadway:
F@B: 2nd & 4th Friday: Noon – 5 p.m.

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