The Parkview Collective has served the local community of North Villa Park and School District 45 for quite some time.  With deep commitment, many of us have supported and served in the ministries that happen there and continue to do so.

 

Since beginning our work in North Villa Park over ten years ago, our approach has always been to ask community leaders, “What do you need and how might we help?”  It was the local school district that responded first, and we’ve been working with them ever since in a wide variety of ways including – funding a music program, Lunch Bunch Groups, renovation of student and teacher indoor and outdoor spaces, after-school tutoring, mentoring, sports equipment etc., just to name a few. Over this time, we have stopped and started various initiatives in response to a changing environment, stated needs, and evaluating effectiveness. For example, in 2020, when Covid restrictions no longer allowed us in the schools, the Collective adapted quickly by launching the Collective Academy [an in-person program] to maintain contact with students. The Academy was a huge success and continued until schools reopened.

 

Two years of a pandemic have changed the landscape of ministry in our world and in our communities, so we keep adapting to current realities. As another challenging school year approaches an end, there is needed for assessment and adaptation. Our after-school Program for elementary students will run its full course this spring, however will not return in the fall, at least not in its current format. Unfortunately, this means Chantel Gamboa’s role with the Collective will end. Chantel is extremely gifted and we’re grateful for her excellence and leadership. If you have a chance, please thank her for her work and the huge impact she’s had on our staff and community. The decision to not rerun the after-school program is a multi-faceted one based on what district administrators are communicating to us, limited attendance, and the responsible stewardship of Table Campaign resources. 

 

The exciting news is administrators have invited us back into the schools to continue mentoring and academic programs [such as Reading Buddies] that we were running prior to the pandemic.  In partnership with New Hope Church, we look forward to utilizing a shared ministry space as well as offering services in the local schools. 

 

The Collective is also providing funding that allows the elementary program students to attend Parkview’s Summer Kids Camp for free. Students are excited about this. It provides a wonderful opportunity for them to hear about Jesus – perhaps for the first time. Ultimately, this is the purpose behind everything we do in and for the community.

 

In addition, a team is being formed to help evaluate and re-envision how to move the Collective work forward in an ever-changing post-pandemic environment. We will listen to and work with school leaders and families to understand and prioritize the needs of students and identify how we can continue to partner with them for the greatest impact. We continue to imagine new creative ways to serve families in the community and are excited to see how God leads us.

 

All this to say, as in the past decade, we remain fully committed to the schools, students, and families of North Villa Park. Although, like most other things, the ministry of the Collective was unquestionably impaired by the global pandemic, we now believe better days are ahead and see God reopening doors and new opportunities for service and ministry.  For this we are grateful!

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3