Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) and Illinois State Police (ISP) are collaborating in facilitating the annual TeamIllinois Youth Police Camp for northern Illinois.
The 2017 TeamIllinois Youth Police Camp (Camp) for northern Illinois will take place June 25 to 30 on the ONU campus. The week-long residency camp is a highly structured program for 13- to 16-year-old males and females, emphasizing the principles of self-respect and service to others.
The Camp is conducted by local police and sheriff departments, Illinois National Guard and the ISP. Dr. Craig Bishop and Professor Matt Adamson of ONU’s Department of Social Work and Criminal Justice will represent ONU during the Camp.
“This collaboration is giving ONU an opportunity to be missional in a new way,” said Dr. Bishop. “Our criminal justice program holds respect for the rights, dignity and worth of all people as a core value. The Camp is an excellent way for our students and faculty to live that out.”
Now in its 12th year in the state of Illinois, the Camp has changed the lives and attitudes of the youth who have attended the program. The partnership between the ISP and ONU will bring the same commitment to the African American and Latino youth in the northern Illinois region.
Dr. Bishop emphasized the importance of this collaboration in living out ONU’s values and principles and increasing community engagement. Supporting law enforcement agencies is a critical need in today’s society and also a high priority for ONU.
“Law enforcement officers face many new challenges in providing effective community policing,” said ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz. “The greatest of those challenges is building trust between police and the citizens they serve through positive relationships. The Camp affords the opportunity to break down barriers, change perceptions and foster character growth at a pivotal time in teen lives.”
ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz recognized the valuable partnership with ONU and thanked the University staff for its gracious offer to host the 2017 Camp.
“We value community partnerships,” said Dr. David Pickering, ONU’s executive vice president for administration and human resources. “This partnership with ISP connects us with young people who are interested in lives of service. We are grateful to be working together.”
This collaboration also increases internship and job opportunities for criminal justice majors at ONU. Dr. Bishop added: “During the two-year process of bringing the Camp to ONU, we have developed professional networking relationships that will continue to benefit our students.”
To learn more about Olivet’s Department of Social Work and Criminal Justice, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
