These needs include health care, opportunities for social growth and social development, community connections and involvement, and family support. While all of the township’s social service departments are involved in the various programs that serve our youth, the Township Youth Services Department plays the primary role. Led by the Youth Services Director Renee Dorn, the department offers valuable individual and group programs, both at the township and in local schools.
The Youth Services team works closely with School Districts 59 and 57 to provide in-classroom programs that address, among other issues, female empowerment, bully prevention and social skill development. The demand for these programs has grown significantly since students returned to school after the COVID-19 shutdown. These programs are also offered on-site at the township and often make use of the Challenge Course located on the property — a low ropes course that propels young participants through physical and mental activities that help to develop communication skills, problem solving and reinforce the value of teamwork and trust. A new school program is the Student Hygiene Closet, which provides personal products to middle school students who may not have access to them.
The team also assists High School District 214 by participating in the district’s “Life Program” that helps students with disabilities successfully transition into life beyond high school. In addition, the team works with Elk Grove High School to host Student Government Days where the students are introduced to the workings of local government and encouraged to be involved in their communities.
“I believe our Youth Services programs are of great value. Our partnerships with local schools and the programs we hold on-site at the township are all focused on helping our youth navigate life’s challenges and gain the skills needed to successfully make the transition into adulthood,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor George Busse.
Supervisor Busse also pointed out that a unique township youth program that has been on hold for a couple years is coming back later this fall.
“Our Bike Safety Course will be up and running for the fall school semester,” he said. “The township has offered bike safety courses to local schools for more than 50 years, but we had to put things on pause for a while after we moved to our new offices three years ago to reconstruct it.”
Many residents who grew up in Elk Grove Township participated in this program, and there have been consistent inquiries as to when it would start again. In anticipation of its reopening, the township is currently accepting donations of new or gently used bikes for children K-5. Bikes can be dropped off at the township offices, 600 Landmeier Road, in Elk Grove Village, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
Information about township youth programs can be found at elkgrovetownship.com/youth-services.
