Guiding young people onto the path of non-violence is one of the goals of the Three Kings of Peace. However, the organization also opens its doors to adults who want to improve themselves through exercise.
Representatives of the group addressed the Danville Lions Club recently, and showed a video about its activities in the community, especially among children and teenagers. Speakers were the Rev. Frank McCullough, Ed Butler and Deonta’ Brooks.
The organization’s mission is to promote peace and social justice in the community, along with guiding young people toward a better life through education, mentoring, and physical exercise.
“The kids are our life,” Butler said. “As long as there’s breath in me and I’m still able, I’m going to do what I can to save the lives of our kids.”
Brooks, who outlined some upcoming projects, agreed, saying, “I feel a lot of hope and joy in my heart every day.”
Last year, the group — consisting of about 20 people – bought the former Roselawn Fitness Center from Chip and Sharron Runyan, who retired in 2022. Besides that building, the Three Kings of Peace operates a mentoring center near Garfield Park.The center offers free mentoring, social activities, and lunches for children age 5 and up.
However, that center has been vandalized several times, and the group has had to move the mentoring center temporarily to Roselawn. McCullough said the group is looking for grants and donations to clean it up.
Roselawn houses exercise equipment, showers, a basketball court, lockers, weight room and other features. For adults, the membership fee is $50 a year, plus $20 a month; for young people, the fee is $20 a year and $10 a month. The monthly fee is waived if a person doesn’t show up. Also, there’s a $10 daily pass for non-members.
Other programs are offered at Roselawn, too, including yoga, tumbling and dance. Premier Dance Academy, located in Roselawn, is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
It’s important to keep young people busy, McCullough said, in an effort to keep them out of trouble. The Three Kings plans to add activities such as skating and bumper cars; training in skills, such as carpentry; and a daycare for ages birth to 5 years by October.
Anyone who wants to make a donation to help Three Kings clean up the damage at the center near Garfield Park may call McCullough at 217-766-8735. People also are invited to stop by the Roselawn building at 302 W. Roselawn to tour the site and to learn more about the programs. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays.