Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services: WAYS          

WAYS STAFF: 

*Executive Director:

   Patricia Gherardini, MSW, LCSW

*Counseling/Youth Coordinator:

  Alison Paddack, MA, LCPC;

 *Spanish-speaking Family Therapist:

   Martha Wilson, MSW, LSW

*Licensed Counselor:

    Ray McKinnis, M.Div., MA, NCC, LPC

    Joanna Bloss, MA

*Counseling & Youth:

     Heidi Gibbons, BA

     Ashley Echols, BA

     Allison Falls, BA

     Elizabeth Geitz, BA

     Eric Peterson, BSW

*Tutors:

   Kathleen Dice, MS

   Daniel Hancock, BA

   Katherine Lesniak, MAT

   Terre Taylor, MSHRM, PHR

            Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services (WAYS) was begun in 1977 by Wayne Township; and initially provided prevention programs for youth. In 1983, the agency became a separate not-for-profit 501(c)3 community social services agency, Wayne Township Youth Committee, Inc. That year, the agency also received a grant to provide crisis intervention services and merged with an existing crisis agency in West Chicago. This established the WAYS service area of Wayne and Winfield Townships of DuPage County, including all of Wayne, Winfield, West Chicago, Hanover Park, Carol Stream, Bartlett, and Warrenville. Crisis Intervention and Information & Referral services are continued. 

In 1985, the agency became affiliated as a United Way Agency; and then funded by what is now theDuPage Area United Way andNorthwest Suburban United Way.  Also in 1986, the agency name was changed to Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services (WAYS) to reflect its expanded focus. 

In 1986, Internships within a Professional Development Program were initiated with Master’s level interns from several Universities. Bachelor’s level interns were added to the youth program. Also monthly clinical seminars that provide Continuing Education Units for staff were established in 1986 to provide staff and community training.

The Youth Program includes such services as individual youth tutoring, parenting seminars, and prevention groups in local schools and community resource centers. In-school groups including Growing & Changing Groups for children experiencing loss and Social Skills groups were added in 1991.  In 1996, WAYS began working with community volunteers the West Chicago Open Gym project that led to receiving the Governor’s Home Town Award in 1999.  After-school programming was added in 2001.  Summer day camp programming was added in 2005.

A Community Needs Assessment identified the need for counseling services on a sliding scale. Family therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, marital therapy, and play therapy for young children are provided in our Counseling Program.  In 1989, a United Way developmental program led to the establishment of the Hispanic Services Project.  It provides services in Spanish led by Hispanic Master’s level Social Workers and Counselors.

Groups and classes include the following: Parenting Classes for high-risk parents were established in 1986.  In 1993, WAYS added a Master’s level addictions therapist toward providing assessment and treatment efforts toward alcohol abuse, substance abuse, tobacco and eating disorders. Weight Management and obesity prevention programming was added in 2003. Addictions prevention curriculums were added to after-school programming by WAYS.  Anger management classes for adults and teens were added in 2003. 

Job Club was first initiated in 1992 during that recession and then re-instituted in 2009 again in response to community need.  In 2002, computer classes for low-income adults in collaboration with People’s Resource Center began that now are part of the support programming offered for seniors; and a Senior Club was added in 2009. 

            WAYS future developments and efforts will continue to be based upon a response to the community and identified needs. The agency provides sliding-scale services through the support ofWayneTownship,WinfieldTownship,VillageofHanover Park,DuPage Area United Way, EcoLab Foundation grant, client fees, fundraising, and donations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

WAYS BOARD:

 Pamela Snoeck, President:

Clint Studabaker, Vice President:

Matt Reiland, Treasurer:

and,

Jim Sweet, Secretary:

 April Murhpy:

 Non-Voting Board Members:

Lesley Janusz Past President:        

Deborah Birutis