Springfield nonprofit seeks to create a safe haven for local youth

SPRINGFIELD, Il. (WAND) — For almost a decade, Antwaun Readus and his team have been running the non-profit Better Life Better Living for Kidz. The organization started out by doing Sunday Fundays in Comer Cox Park.

"It started with just a few kids coming but it built up to 200 or more people having fun at the park," said Readus, the Vice President for Better Life Better Living for Kidz. The group ended Sunday Fundays because it was hard to keep track of participants in the park, and keep those not attending out of the park. Readus says having a set, safe facility is important for the organization to provide programming.

"The kids just need somewhere to be where you don't have to worry about the outside," said Readus. "Your parents know where you are. You come in the door, you sign in, and you don't leave unless we know where you are going."

Readus says this idea was inspired by the recreation centers he attended when he was growing up in Peoria. The buildings had classrooms where students could learn about music or art, as well as indoor and outdoor athletic facilities.

"These kids are going to become something one day, and I want to just kind of gear them towards what to be, whether it be through a CNA class or home care class, childcare classes," said Readus. "We want to make sure that they have financial literacy and things like that, as well as science and STEM programs."

As a father, Readus says knowing where your kids are and that they are safe is one of the primary concerns. His hope is that a facility like this will provide that peace of mind for local parents.

Better Life Better Living for Kidz was in talks with former Mayor Jim Langfelder to purchase and renovate several buildings near Comer Cox Park to create the "Teen Empowerment Zone." While Better Life Better Living has some items inside one of the buildings, they don't own the facility.

Now, the non-profit is looking for a facility to use for their programs. They already have programs and curriculums created, but no space to hold the participants.

Better Life Better Living for Kidz is one of the non profits set to potentially receive part of a three million dollar grant given to the Springfield Police Department through funding from the Department of Economic Opportunity. The distribution of these funds still has to be approved by Springfield's City Council.