On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long speaks with Heather Waniger and Aimee Howard, youth directors at Elevate Youth Center, about the organization’s expanding after-school program and its mission to support area youth.
The after-school program serves students from Rock Falls Middle School and Challand Middle School Monday through Thursday. Students are transported directly from school to the youth center, where they begin with a snack and quiet study time before transitioning into recreational activities. The center offers video games, crafts, outdoor play, movies, music, and opportunities to simply relax with friends in a supervised environment. Community organizations and guest speakers also visit periodically to provide educational and enrichment opportunities.
On Wednesdays, participants also visit the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA, where they participate in fitness activities, games, and other programs designed to promote healthy lifestyles.
In addition to the structured after-school program, Elevate opens its doors on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. for middle and high school students throughout the region. During those hours, students can enjoy the facility, share a free evening meal, and spend time with friends in a supervised setting. Students from communities outside Sterling and Rock Falls, including homeschool families and neighboring school districts, are also welcome to attend, although bus transportation is currently available only from Rock Falls and Challand middle schools.
The after-school program was created to address a gap in youth services for middle school students. While younger children often have access to childcare programs and older students participate in numerous high school activities, many families struggle to find supervised options once children enter sixth grade. Elevate’s programming provides working parents with a safe place for students to spend the afternoon while also giving youth opportunities to socialize, build relationships, and stay engaged in positive activities.
The program operates free of charge through a combination of Sterling Township support and grant funding administered through the Regional Office of Education. Elevate itself grew out of Sterling Township Supervisor Angie Schneider’s vision of creating a dedicated space where middle and high school students could gather in a safe, welcoming environment.
Community partnerships remain a major focus of the youth center. Organizations such as local counseling agencies, the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA, Hispanic business leaders, and other community groups regularly work with students through presentations, mentoring opportunities, and special events. During the summer, local businesses have also partnered with Elevate to provide hands-on experiences, including pizza- and bagel-making workshops that introduced students to entrepreneurship and small business operations.
Since launching three years ago, the after-school program has grown substantially. What began with fewer than a dozen regular participants now consistently serves between 15 and 20 students, with additional growth expected as awareness increases and participation expands into District 13.
While funding for the program remains stable through grants and public support, Waniger and Howard emphasized that volunteers and community organizations willing to share their expertise or spend time with students are always welcome. Businesses, nonprofits, and community members interested in mentoring youth or leading educational activities are encouraged to partner with Elevate to continue enriching the lives of local students.
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