Article copied from: http://www.reviewatlas.com/articles/2007/05/02/news/news2.txt

Lincoln Homes Alive marks 10 years

By Vanya Peterson
Published: Wednesday, May 2, 2007 1:44 PM CDT
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Vanya Peterson/Daily Review Atlas Pictured: Cindy Mettler and Laurie Carlson, volunteers, standing in front of the Lincoln Homes Youth Center.

Staff Reporter

MONMOUTH - From a one room area with a donated refrigerator to a multi room youth center - Lincoln Homes Alive has come a long way and will be celebrating ten years in existence on May 7.

"There was nothing for the kids to do," stated Cheryl Lefler of the Illinois Coalition Community Services. And with the partnership of the Illinois Coalition Community Services, Warren County Housing Authority and the residents of Lincoln Homes a commitment was made and in the beginning, a three-year federal grant was obtained to start various programs concentrating on preventative services for youth and police presence above and beyond regular patrol.

Cindy Mettler, (some call her grandma) reflects back to her own situation when she had two children of her own, receiving public aid, and there was nothing for the youth. Now Cindy is the go to person, she takes care of the day-to-day operations with the help of Laurie Carlson and Lisa Hiett, who volunteer their time to help the youth. Other volunteers include Debbie Ferguson and Mary Fry. These volunteers hold everything together and administer the programs.

Programs offered are the After School Program, Summer Program, and Summer Food Program.

The After School Program allows children to go to the center for help with their homework, allows for recreation and snacks. Parents and Monmouth College students volunteer to help these children.

The Summer Program is geared for the afternoon so that if the children participate in the Summer Park Program, they can come home and receive a meal that is delivered by Jamieson Center, who has provided this service and is now in it's fourth year. Then their afternoon is structured with arts and crafts and field trips when money allows.

"We have two pop machines that we receive a commission from," said Mettler, "we have our own bank account that requires two signatures to use the money." "This money is used for materials and field trips."

How many lives this program has touched? Lefler and Mettler paused for a moment and both agreed that hundreds of children have benefited from Lincoln Homes Alive.

"This is an ongoing community partnership of commitment and time," stated Lefler, If is wasn't for the Warren County Housing Authority, this would not be possible."

In celebration of this tenth year anniversary, Lincoln Home Alive will be hosting an open house on Monday, May 7th, from 4-5 pm at the Youth Center. Mayor Davies, members from the city council, Police Chief Zeigler, and principals from the surrounding school have been invited to attend this momentous occasion and the general public as well as the residents are cordially invited to attend.