The Beginnings

Wayside Cross Ministries planned its first annual winter walk, Walk a Mile in My Shoes, Feb. 10, 2007, to help at-risk youth and the ministry’s transitional living center for homeless women and children. The mile walk’s proceeds benefited Lifespring Center & Urban Youth Ministry of Wayside Cross Ministries. This fund-raiser walk was birthed over the latter months of 2006 and early 2007. Appreciation is given to the Kokomo Rescue Mission, Kokomo, Ind., for providing the walk’s committee with numerous promotional and marketing helps.

Lifespring Ministry

Lifespring Ministry is a residential program for the woman in crisis, and her children.

Homeless-for whatever reason: abused, addicted, unemployed, evicted, destitute, or desperate.

The woman and her children are welcome at Lifespring Center, the home of Lifespring Ministry!

Lifespring Ministry’s 12-month residential program restores hope and rebuilds lives, woman by woman. The Lifespring program supports each woman through her crisis. She and her children are nurtured at Lifespring Center, a safe, loving “family” environment. Caring mentors help each woman effect positive changes in her life to benefit herself and her children. Each woman is encouraged to face her problems, plan for her future, and work toward self-sufficiency.

Lifespring Center is located at 517 College Avenue, Suite 102, Aurora.

Urban Youth Ministry

Wayside is building a stronger Kingdom by starting at the foundation-the children. The Urban Youth Ministry (UYM) has programs for at-risk kids to help them stay on the right track.

Urban Youth Ministry programs and initiatives help kids to grow physically, mentally and spiritually. Our after school Kids Clubs, academic tutoring, sports programs and day camps nurture hundreds of kids in the Aurora area throughout the year.

Urban Youth Ministry programs:
  • provide positive alternatives to street gangs and drug use
  • teach Christian moral values through adult mentorship
  • encourage positive relationships between peers
  • promote tolerance for diversity
  • build and strengthen a youth's relationship with Jesus Christ

UYM programs include: Sports, R.E.A.D. “The Homework Club”, and Kids Club.

The Committee

Members of planning committee:
  • John Ross, chair
  • Lynda Dorsch, director of Lifespring Ministry
  • Scot Thurman, director of Urban Youth Ministry
  • Bob Cano
  • Beverly Folkerts
  • Tom Hartman
  • David Wood

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