Elite Community Outreach will have a new home in the next couple years.
The nonprofit will build a new headquarters at 100 NE Randolph Ave. in Peoria. The site was donated by OSF Medical Group.
“This new Elite Center will house the Elite Game Changer Safe School and serve as a central hub for all of our programs,” said Carl Cannon, CEO and founder of Elite “It will offer recreational activities for the community. Host neighborhood and faith based gatherings and provide a safe and supportive space for young people and adults to advance their personal and academic growth.”
Elite Game Changer Safe School is an Illinois State Board of Education accredited program which provides year-round, weekly case management for students in 6 to 9th grade. The program has helped more than 170 students from Peoria Public Schools District 150.
Elite also does elementary and high school, and operates a re-entry program with the Peoria County Jail.
Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said Elite is one of the city’s best violence prevention programs. She’s taken part in the group's annual Jr. Elite and High School Graduation Ceremonies.
“The excitement that you see from the youth, the engagement, the hope in their eyes, the excitement in their faces,” she said. “They're just thrilled to be a part of a program like this, the energy that they produce, the learned behaviors, respect manners, leadership.”
Cannon said they are currently developing a comprehensive plan to demolish the current building on the site and replace it with a new facility. It’s a process which could take up to three years.
He said they’re pursuing state and federal funding opportunities for the new facility. They’re also launching a fundraising campaign, including a Chocolate Turkey Race this Thanksgiving.
