About Us:
The Elgin Recreation Center is a not-for-profit, independent organization, not affiliated with any one institution, working with community partners to fulfill our mission and impact our community.
Mission Statement:
The Elgin Recreation Center/God's Gym offers our community life changing alternatives to gangs and drugs.
History:
The Original God's Gym was founded in 1984 in the basement of Templo Calvario Church by Joel Perez Sr. and Joel Perez Jr. Their focus was to create a safe environment for people to get healthy, and discover positive life strategies. Through the years it grew to a bigger and much needed facility: Elgin Recreation Center
Our Strategy:
To give direction and assistance to those in need, assisting those who are seeking alternatives to being on the street where they are being confronted with gang activity and or drug; to counsel these individuals to
ERC specializes in the intervention of gangs. providing a well maintain, safe educational and a safe recreation facility to assist those seeking alternatives from the gang life, or those that are in need.
At ERC services are provided to keep youth and young adults out of gangs or becoming involved in incriminating activities. We also intervene with those who are already involved in a gang, motivating them towards a socially and academically productive behavior within the community through programs geared at discipline and opportunities for change.
Helping people find a positive outlet, decreases their risk for gang and drug involvement and helps to develop positive life skills and a healthy lifestyle. Having a safe, accepting environment also helps keep young people busy and away from the street corners.
We believe that our most important strategy is communication. Opposite groups start seeing each other and begin to blend in by being involved and sharing in the same activities such as; weight lifting, soccer, football, basketball, boxing or through GED and computer classes.