News

Police, OMNI join forces with boxing coach - Wheeling Countryside

It's been five years since Rico Gonzalez turned the two-car garage behind his Wheeling home into a boxing gym. From day one, Gonzalez has stressed education and demanded discipline. Boxing was just his tool. Overcoming street influence was always more important than outlasting an opponent. Now that small garage, home of thriving competitors in every weight class, is not big enough. With the help of the Wheeling and Prospect Heights police departments and Omni Youth Services, Gonzalez started the New Heights Boxing Program in February. Area social workers and school police liaisons recommended 20 kids, ranging from 11 to 17 years old; that they thought would benefit most from Gonzalez's unorthodox teaching methods. "We wanted to create an alternative for kids during these critical years that works against the glamour of gang life," Prospect Heights police officer Al Steffen said. "Rico brings the street cred that we don't have. He grew up here and was able to escape the gang lifestyle through boxing." The 12-week, skill-building program is free. If the kids keep their grades up and stay out of trouble, they can continue to train with Gonzalez, who was a championship-caliber boxer himself, and start competing inside the ring. They gather at Wheeling High School three nights each week, and OMNI counselor Josue Canchola said attendance is already high. "The kids have really shown up," Canchola said. "They've been very motivated and willing to learn." If this positive momentum continues, Gonzalez and his supporters will try to move into a permanent location. "Rico's lending his life experiences and he's really showing the kids that there is a positive path to follow," Canchola said. Gonzalez originally built his garage ring because, like himself as a child, many kids cannot afford corporate gym fees. And he said the boxers that need this discipline the most -- the ones who are battling drug and gang influences -- deserve this opportunity. Gonzalez has worked with troubled kids in the past. "One was very slow at first, and I could see him getting into better shape," Gonzalez said back in November. "You can't be on drugs and box. "I know what these guys did last night because of how they fight in the morning," he continued. "Whatever you do outside the ring, you'll pay for it in the ring." Gonzalez's movement started with just four punching bags and one homemade 12-foot ring. And he's done it all because of his passion for boxing and his community. Article by Charles Berman

'Sweat in the ring stops blood on the streets' June 12, 2008

Even though coach Rico Gonzalez admitted that he was unsure how his New Heights Boxing Program would fair, his deep faith in boxing's ability to positively influence kids' lives never wavered. That's why he turned the two-car garage behind his Wheeling home into a boxing gym five years ago. Gonzalez, himself, is living proof that the discipline and work ethic needed to succeed in the boxing ring provides a distinct alternative to the destructive influences of street life. And he said the boxers that need this discipline the most -- the ones who are battling drug and gang influences -- deserve this opportunity. His slogan is "Sweat in the ring stops blood on the streets." But when his small homemade ring could no longer fit the amount of kids that Gonzalez wanted to reach, he teamed up with Wheeling High School, Omni Youth Services and the Wheeling and Prospect Heights police departments. Area social workers and school police liaisons recommended 22 kids, ranging from 11 to 17 years old, that they thought would benefit most from Gonzalez's unorthodox approach. On Monday (June 2), all but two of the participants graduated from Gonzalez's seven-week, skill-building program. "I thought at least half might drop out, but the majority only missed one or two days," Gonzalez said of the three sessions per week program at Wheeling High School. "We ended up having four kids with perfect attendance. "They ended up being a part of a team and they really learned from each other." Christian Ramirez, a 16-year-old Wheeling High School student, was one of the four who never missed a session. He said it's hard to relate to most adults, but it's easier with Gonzalez because he has a similar background. "I'm proud I stuck with it," he said. There was only one rule. If the kids kept their grades up and stayed out of trouble, they could continue to train with Gonzalez, who was a championship-caliber boxer himself. "We're very happy with the way the program went," Wheeling police Cmdr. Bill Stutzman said. "We will continue to monitor the kids and we want to continue the program. "Some of the kids have expressed interest in continuing, too." Due to the success of the first-year program, organizers are trying to find Gonzalez a permanent home in the fall. "Actually, it was much better than what we thought, and now we're trying to take it to the next level," Prospect Heights police officer Al Steffen said. "We need to get Rico into a bigger place so he can do more." By CHARLES BERMAN - Chicago Sun Times

OMNI wins National Award as a Healthy Place to Work

OMNI Youth Services Wins National Award for Being a Healthy Place to Work! Last October, the Illinois Psychological Association (IPA) named OMNI as the recipient of the 2006 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (PHWA) for the state of Illinois. The PHWA is designed to recognize organizations that make a commitment to programs and policies fostering employee health and well-being while enhancing organizational performance and productivity. OMNI was recognized for its outstanding commitment to the growth and development of its employees as demonstrated by the incorporation of experiential learning in organization-wide activities, as well as for its efforts to help staff prioritize the same values that OMNI works to instill in its clients: healthy decision-making, personal and professional development built upon identified strengths, the importance of family and an appropriate work-life balance. As the state winner of the PHWA, OMNI qualified to compete against other state winners for the National Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award presented by the American Psychological Association (APA). OMNI recently learned that it has been selected as a 2007 National Best Practices Honoree by the APA in recognition of its creative approach to meeting the needs of its employees.