PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria’s South Side Mission received a $250,000 check from the Gilmore Foundation on Wednesday.
The donation will fund youth outreach programming, recreation rooms, classes and a new youth worship center.
South Side Mission Executive Director Rev. Craig Williams told 25 News that the worship center is a key component of their “Vision Possible” Youth Ministry expansion.
“We have the opportunity to impact our youth, that we give them something positive alternatives, instead of just being out in the community, nowhere to go” Rev. Williams said. “We like to say a safe place to be able to have some other programing.”
The Gilmore Foundation’s donation will support expansion will include new learning areas for youth in culinary and fine arts, better technology access, and increased educational, soft-skill and mentoring programs.
The Gilmore Foundation’s initial donation is $125,000, but the foundation will match any donations to the youth ministry expansion over the next year up to another $125,000.
