Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services (WAYS)

WAYS STAFF: 

Executive Director:

Allison Kowieski, MA, LCPC

Program Coordinator/Family Counselor:

Karla Melendez, MSW, LSW

Spanish-Speaking Counselors:

Karla Melendez, MSW, LSW

Martha Wilson, MSW, LSW

Counselors:

Sylvia Peetz, BS

Ren Grabert, M.Ed.

Grace Nuam, BA

Amanda Scott, MA, LPC

Tutors:

Heather Falls, BS

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.

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. Beginning in 2002, computer classes for seniors were  added. 

WAYS future developments and efforts will continue to be based upon a response to the community needs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

WAYS BOARD:

Urban Oen,

Board President 

John Jaeger,

Vice President 



Matt Reiland, Treasurer 



April Murphy, Secretary 

Cathy Polglaze