Wheaton church program helps families in West Chicago thrive

There is a new bridge to the future in West Chicago: Puente del Pueblo, or Bridge of the People.

The bridge, though, isn't a typical beams-and-girders feat of engineering. This bridge is a feat of compassion, connecting low-income and immigrant families to the community around them.

Wheaton Bible Church in West Chicago founded the ministry last fall with an anonymous donation of $100,000. Church members started by talking with community leaders to assess local needs. The result is Puente del Pueblo, which opened in October.

Puente del Pueblo is a collection of programs run by the church, reaching out to families living in the Westwood Apartments to offer them the services and guidance they need to assimilate into the community.

The apartment complex has about 2,000 residents, about 90 percent of whom have immigrated from Mexico, church officials say.

"The church really cares about the community," church Director Matthew McNiel said.

One of the ministry's main goals was to provide a place for children to go after school - while many parents are still at work - and to help boost grades and improve study skills.

The Puente del Nino after-school program meets from 2:45 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays at Wegner Elementary School, about 300 yards from Westwood Apartments. Seventeen students in first through sixth grade are enrolled. The church provides 18 after-school tutors - both teachers and volunteers - for the children.

"Recognizing that the program has been open for only four months, we are really excited about where we are going and what it might become," McNiel said.

The youngsters seem to enjoy the program and its benefits, too.

"My grades have improved since starting this program," said Jessica Sanchez, 11, adding that she also enjoys gym time during the program.

Meanwhile, Puente del Pueblo ministers to families using two apartments it rents in Westwood as offices. There, families can meet with case managers who help by linking them to financial, immigration, adult education, legal, child care, employment, emergency food and housing services. Puente del Pueblo also offers classes such as budgeting, health, parenting and Bible study.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Video</h2> <ul class="video"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=337">How church is helping West Chicago families </a></li> </ul> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://wheatonbible.org/Puente_del_Pueblo">Wheaton Bible Church's Puente del Pueblo</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>