Learn to Shelter program grows teen leaders
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
KENSINGTON — Throughout the school year, teenage boys try to stay out of trouble on their North Philadelphia streets by playing basketball at the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center (CBCC).
This summer, several of them went to work behind the center at 2621 Potter St. There, they spruced up a vacant lot before breaking ground on a greenhouse, a grain garden and workshop that will serve as prototypes for future projects in their neighborhood.
“We’re trying to make the community better,” said 14-year-old Omar Adames, a member of Visitation B.V.M. Parish, which is next door to the center.
A regular at the center, Omar has bettered himself through his involvement there, he said. “Coming here helps me,” he said of his improved behavior.
Omar was one of 10 teenage boys who attended the center’s two-week leadership camp and toiled in the soil as a participant in the new Learn to Shelter Training Program. The program creates hands-on projects to encourage youth to stay in school and helps those who have dropped out of school to reapply themselves as they develop skills to gain meaningful employment.
Omar’s brother, 16-year-old Ramon Adames, said one of the main reasons he participated in the program was to build up his résumé. Ramon is also a regular at the center. He believes his participation sets a positive example to the younger boys. “It’s a great opportunity to become a leader and help out around the community,” he said.
The cross atop Visitation B.V.M. Church gleamed in the early afternoon sunlight as Redemptorist Father John Olenick, a parochial vicar at Visitation, presided at a brief prayer service before blessing the ground behind the center on Friday, Aug. 22.
“In a few moments we’re going to be sowing seed, literally, right here in this plot of ground,” Father Olenick said. Acknowledging the work of the summertime leadership camp, the center, Catholic Social Services and the Catholic Church, “we’ve been sowing seeds,” he said. “And we know that with hard work, trusting in God, these seeds are going to sprout and grow, just as these young men have matured.”
Estela Reyes-Bugg, administrator of the center, was all smiles at the groundbreaking. “This is something that makes me so proud,” she said. Reyes-Bugg believes the project proves there are positive things happening in the neighborhood — and hope for the people who live there.
“Since this is a community center — it’s built by community,” she said. “Our vision and mission is to embrace everyone not only to relax and play, but also to learn and produce. We welcome everybody, knowing that’s what Jesus taught us. We’re about people here.”
The groundbreaking was a good way to cap off the successful leadership camp, said the youth’s development coordinator, Joseph Chick. “I’m just grateful for the fact that they participated,” he said. In addition to the landscaping project, the youths also participated in an anti-drug program during the Aug. 11-22 camp.
The true measure of the camp’s success will come from the boys themselves, he believes. In that regard, Chick hopes the campers remember the satisfaction they felt for a job well done.
Also assisting in the groundbreaking was John McFadden, a member of St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Wayne who is a center volunteer and major donor of the project. He thanked the “highly motivated kids” for their hard work.
“I can see great things from you guys in the future just because of what you’ve done here,” McFadden said. “You stepped up and threw your hearts into this.”
To make a contribution to the project, contact Estela Reyes-Bugg at the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center at (215) 426-9422 or write to her at 2646 Kensington Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125.
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215) 587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.