Trying to expand its reach, the DuPage Township Youth Service Department is ramping up its services, hoping to not only bring back the “basics” to today’s youth, but to include more kids who need it.

Director Anthony Morelli said the department is heading in a new direction, trying to offer more programs in different places. For example, the department will team up with the Romeoville Recreation Department for its free day of fun and games on Casmir Pulaski Day March 1.



A family Wii tournament was a big hit over winter break, bringing out close to 60 participants to challenge one another on the popular game while enjoying some quality family time and community fun.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt is coming up, and added to the mix is a little tee time and paintball.

“We want to incorporate our educational resources and we want to make it fun, too,” said Morelli. “While instilling things like the six pillars of character counts, we are bringing in more recreational opportunities.”

The department was established to support and provide youth services to residents and is dedicated to offering educational and recreational programs that provide guidance, direction and encourage healthy-life shaping decisions.

The goal of the agency is to provide and expose the youth to programs that are fun, offer prevention services, safety awareness and build self-esteem and self-confidence.

Morelli says his personal goal is to bring things back to the basics, focusing on communication.

“Today’s kids can text and they can e-mail, but when it comes to face-to-face communication, they have a hard time,” said Morelli. “Rather than sitting there writing an e-mail or text, I’d rather people get up and talk. It’s just more personal and gets people involved with one another. I want to bring back more family events and just more opportunities to associate with one another.”

Morelli would like to see the township provide an activity every month rather than the majority being held in the summer, which has normally been the case. He said he hears all too often that some of the children have nothing to do during the school year and he wants to change that.

Currently, most of the programs offered are for elementary students, with some for the middle school level as well. Morelli also would like to expand services to high schoolers and is looking into initiatives such as a paintball activities and an after-prom party.

Another issue at hand is reaching out to residents of Romeoville, which has about half of its population living in township boundaries. Morelli said the Casmir Pulaski Day event is the first of the youth service department's events to be held in Romeoville but hopes to hold future efforts throughout the community. He also wants to get the word out to Romeoville residents that they are encouraged to attend all events.

For a complete listing of township youth services, check out www.dupagetownship.com or call the agency at (630) 759-1317.