Off The Street Club’s Third Thursdays Chicago's West Side Youth

Lee Edwards | As of Thursday, October 23, 2014

Off the Street Club volunteer challenges young members to a game of Mancala during the Club’s first 3rd Thursday event of the 2014-15 term at its west Garfield headquarters, 25 N. Karlov Ave. on Oct. 16. Off the Street Club, Chicago’s longest running boys and girls club, provides “casual joy” to local youth and has served as a community staple since 1900.
Off the Street Club volunteer challenges young members to a game of Mancala during the Club’s first 3rd Thursday event of the 2014-15 term at its west Garfield headquarters, 25 N. Karlov Ave. on Oct. 16. Off the Street Club, Chicago’s longest running boys and girls club, provides “casual joy” to local youth and has served as a community staple since 1900. Off the Street Club

For the first time this school year, on Oct. 16, Off The Street Club (OTSC), a non-profit foundation that provides a safe haven for youth to, opened its doors to approximately 300 club members, mentors and volunteers during its monthly, 3rd Thursday mentoring program, at its west Garfield headquarters, 25 N. Karlov Ave.

Established in 1900, OTSC remains a retreat for youth who bravely “say no” to the gangs, drugs and violence that has plagued Chicago's West Garfield neighborhood. Annually, OTSC serves over 3,000 at-risk youth ages 4-18 with a goal of allowing them to experience "casual joy" or simple childhood moments that most people take for granted.

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Photo by: Off the Street Club

Off the Street Club member takes the first cut into his pumpkin carving contest entry during the Club’s first 3rd Thursday event of the 2014-15 term at its west Garfield headquarters, 25 N. Karlov Ave. on Oct. 16. Off the Street Club, Chicago’s longest running boys and girls club provides “casual joy” to local youth and has served as a community staple since 1900.

“[Casual joy] is too often robbed of inner-city kids with the tension, the gangs, etc...but here, when they walk through that door, it’s a different world and it’s about childhood and it’s about casual joy,” said Ralph Campagna, Executive Director for Off The Street Club.

Campagna explained that to become an OTSC member, youth must sign a pledge that they’re not in a gang or part of drug culture, and that they will not keep company with individuals who are.

“We do a lot of talking to our young people... we talk to young people to say you have to learn to give back, you have to learn to be compassionate and stand up for what’s right,” said Arnett Morris, Associate Director and board member for Off The Street Club. “Our philosophy at Off The Street Club is ‘if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything’.”

Off The Street Club also serves as a recreational facility offering indoor activities like roller skating, sports tournaments, computer labs and a game room.

Framed under a Halloween-theme, among the activities included for this past 3rd Thursday were pumpkin carving and Trick or Treat basket decorating in addition to the typical 3rd Thursday program which offers board games, pick-up basketball games, jump roping, etc.

“To me it’s all about the kids and giving back; every time I leave my heart is filled with love and I never feel like I give enough,” said Chris Mundy, an OTSC volunteer for over 10 years. “I consider Ralph and Arnett role models for me, role models for the community, with everything that’s going on in Chicago and the negative press in a lot of the neighborhoods I think that this is a role model for change and I want to get more people involved with it.”

To ensure outside influences do not negatively impact the youth in any way, Campagna told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper that OTSC does not seek federal, state, or local funding; however, it does accept donations.

OTSC hosts the Annual Off The Street Club Holiday Luncheon as its primary method of fundraising. This year, OTSC will host the 2014 Hope Awards, a benefit luncheon that will honor community members who have made notable contributions and demonstrate unwavering support for Chicago’s youth, on Dec. 4.

For more information about Off The Street Club visit www.offthestreetclub.com

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