Our History
After moving into a new facility in the spring of 2004, Community of Hope Church in Columbia City, Ind., had a dream. They moved into a new facility, having outgrown their building at 201 West Market Street, and now they pondered what to do with their old building. Could this facility become the center of a new movement to grow happy and healthy young people?

From that dream and a partnership with the Whitley County Community Foundation was born The Center for Whitley County Youth.

In December 2006, Community of Hope Church and The Center were legally separated, and today The Center has achieved its goal of becoming a broad-based community partner, promoting youth development in the community through service, outreach and collaboration with like-minded youth-serving organizations.

By providing after-school, weekend and summer programming and facility space for other youth organizations, while partnering on important initiatives to support our young people, The Center has become a hub for impacting the next generation of leaders, families, citizens, and the workforce.

Our Mission: To promote youth development through service, outreach and collaboration.

Our Vision: To support Whitley County youth through...

Youth development, through the building of assets. (See 40 Developmental Assets )

 Outreach, which is accomplished through relationships and connections

Service, by providing programs that meet real youth needs

 


Collaboration, by providing a facility for and partnering with like-minded youth organizations

Our Values: We are committed to doing all things with excellence and integrity.
The following core values define the very character of who we are and drive what we do...

          Relationships based on Christian love

          Cultural relevance that allows us the freedom to change how we accomplish
          our mission without compromising the mission

          Service that comes from a heart for Christ

          Outreach that points youth to Christ

          Collaboration of community efforts that leads to a greater outcome

The people at The Center

Jeff Wike- Executive Director     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jeff was The Center’s first employee, hired as the director in 2005 to help launch and develop the organization and its programming. He earned a B.S. in Youth Ministry and a B.A. in Biblical Studies at Grace College and then completed a graduate degree in Intercultural Studies at Grace Theological Seminary. Prior to his arrival at The Center, Jeff worked in various roles—program director, case manager and experiential education director—at group homes for teen boys. Reading, backpacking, the great outdoors, his family and watching teens grow are at the center of Jeff’s personal life.

Todd Blanton- Program Director     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Todd was hired in August of 2009 and is now the Director of Programming.  He earned his B.S. in History with a Minor in English in 2008 and is currently taking graduate courses at Grace Theological Seminary.  Todd spent his college years working as a Program Supervisor for the North Webster Community Center and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of teens.  Besides working with youth, he also enjoys reading, writing, nature, and playing for the Interstate Football League team, the K.C. Mustangs. 

Board of Directors
Rex Schrader II, Chairman
Paul Meyer, Vice Chairman
David Smith, Treasurer
Sue Fenker, Secretary
Jerry Walker
Greg Woll
Ann Dillon
Wes Sigler

Strategic Plan download pdf  
*The strategic plan is organized into two priorities:

Impact is what and how we impact students

Sustainability is how we support the organization so that we can continue our impact now and in the future.
 
Our strategic plan helps us focus on what it is important. But we know that the best laid plans are still just plans—and sometimes the best plan is Plan B. In such cases, our motto is “We adapt.”