Coronavirus Cancels Joliet Unity Movement 815 Youth Weekend

JOLIET, IL - In 2014, Joliet Unity Movement was born, in an effort to stop the violence and bring the community together. Every year, they host a community event in the summer they call the 815 Youth Weekend.

"We give everybody a chance to come together and meet each other," Willie Ervins, president of Joliet Unity Movement said. "A lot of times coming together, different neighborhoods...when you get people together and they see that, especially the youth, there is no reason not to like someone just because they are from a different area or a different part of town."

"You know the little petty argument of not getting along is going out the window."

This year, the 815 Youth Weekend event won’t happen.

“When they went to phase 4, we were just in the air about what was acceptable in regard to social gathering,” Amy Sanchez, Joliet Unity Movement board development representative said.

The event, which includes a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and talent show, has consistently drawn crowds upwards of 200 people. It is annually held at Nowell Park, 199 Mills Road in Joliet.

"In the first year or two, I think we got 500 people who came,” Ervins said.

The organization realizes the loss in not having the event, but also wants to make sure to keep the youth and their families safe.

“We want to be respectful of what is going on. People have experienced loss here in our community that was devastating to our community,” Sanchez said of Coronavirus cases and deaths connected to Joliet families.

The organization also hosts an annual Halloween party that is indoors and is hoping that the Coronavirus numbers will allow that to go on safely.

Even though the annual 815 Youth Weekend event has been canceled for 2020, Sanchez emphasizes that the organization is not going anywhere.

“We do events year round,” she said. “We pride ourselves in going into the community.”

One winter, a Joliet Unity Movement party at Family Fun Zone in Crest Hill was so well-attended that the business ran out of rental skates. They are already planning for purpose for the next event that is able to be held.

"Joliet Unity Movement's next event will be dedicated to the late Ms. Sandra Evans who was always an avid supporter along with her adult children, grandchildren" the written release states.

In addition to youth-led activities that take place at the 815 Youth Weekend event, the organization also awards scholarships. They will still be doing that, but virtually.

"The Loretta Westbrooks Scholarship will be awarded virtually on Aug. 15, 815 day,” a written release from Joliet Unity Movement states. “While we know many summer events have canceled while others have continued, our first and foremost priority has been and will always be the well being of the children and youth we serve.

"We are assured and optimistic that the partnerships and relationships we have built in our community remain strong and we look forward to coming back together again when it is safe to do so.”

Community members can connect with Joliet Unity Movement on its Facebook page, Twitter page or Instagram. They can also be called at 815-324-2499 or emailed at Jolietunitymovement@gmail.com.