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Our History Crossroads was incorporated in September of 1998, as "Crossroads of Illinois, Inc." It was founded by Bern and Jeanne Bertsche, the owners of Camcraft, a precision machining company located in Hanover Park. Camcraft, which was founded in the 1950's, relocated to Hanover Park in the 1990's. Shortly after moving into its new neighborhood, Camcraft was the victim of vandalism as graffiti was painted on a retaining wall outside the plant. After speaking with the police, it was suggested that one way to avoid such activity in the future would be for Camcraft to build relationships with children and youth in the community. Soon, Camcraft began a school-business partnership with Parkwood Elementary School. This parntership continues after more than a decade with students from the fifth and sixth grades visiting Camraft several times during the school year and learning trade-specific skills from Camcraft employees who volunteer their time over lunch. As this program was starting, Mr. Bertsche personally spent time with some of the Parkwood students when they would come over to the company on a weekly basis. It was there, interacting with these children, that he saw that there was a need for the students to learn about Jesus and his plan for them. Many students needed to discover the hope that only a right relationship with God can bring. Since the school-business partnership took place during the school day, talking about Jesus was not something that could happen as part of this time because of church-state separation issues. So, during the spring break of 1998, the Bertsches and Camcraft sponsored a spring break Bible club that took place in the building of Evangel Assembly of God, which is across the street from Camcraft. The club was such a success that the Bertsches decided to continue hosting a weekly after-school Bible club at Evangel for the rest of that school year. Enthusiasm from the leaders and students was high, and the Bertsches sensed that the Lord wanted them to move forward with these efforts at working with students both through the school-business partnership and through the after-school Bible clubs. In June of 1998, Matt Armstrong was hired by Camcraft to lead their efforts at developing the after school ministry to the children of the community. Matt had been a school teacher in Bensenville. He initially came to work at Camcraft for just the summer of 1998, but by the end of the summer, he left teaching. In the fall of 1998, Crossroads was incorporated. Within a year or two, clubs moved out of Evangel and began meeting in Parkwood School immediately after classes, and it wasn't long before a second club began at Sunnydale School. Soon, Kids Clubs were established in multiple schools in Hanover Park and Streamwood. In 2007, we changed our name to be "Crossroads Kids Club" because it says who we are much better than our previous name. Today, Bern Bertsche continues his involvement with Crossroads as the president of the board of directors, and Matt Armstrong continues serving as the executive director. This past school year (2008-2009), Crossroads had eight Kids Clubs each week with an average of 162 students involved weekly. Crossroads strives to continue its heritage of being an organization that is centered on the Word of God, neighborhood-based, student-focused, led by God's Spirit, and relationally-oriented. Over the first eleven years of its existence, Crossroads has seen many students' lives changed for the better. We at Crossroads desire to continue to be a positive influence in the lives of today's young people now and for many years to come. |
1584 Buttitta Drive, #335 | Streamwood, IL 60107 | 630.837.4383