West40 Shares Update on St. Joseph Campus Project

The future of West40 at St. Joseph looks bright as work continues to transform the campus into a resource that serves the greater community and a place where foster children can eventually live and attend school.

Representatives from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services toured the campus in Westchester on May 8 and received an update on the St. Joseph project. They remain committed to the program serving students in their care and are not ruling out future financial support.

“We know what an amazing program St. Joseph will become. We are moving ahead focused on our mission,” said West40 Executive Director Dr. Mark Klaisner.

While funding challenges have delayed building renovations and the opening of the residential program, progress is being made on many other fronts. Those include expanding the building’s north wing into a food mart and store for families in need and creating potential partnerships to provide food supplies, mental health services, essential items, medical services, career pathway programs, and data service opportunities.

“As part of our master plan, we see all of these potential services for our school, but our design is to make them accessible to the community as well,” said Klaisner.

The existing food mart at St. Joseph currently serves more than 100 families each week. Its expansion will provide additional services and allow students to gain volunteer or work experience.

The expansion of the food mart is expected to be completed in January 2027.

West40 at St. Joseph team members also remain busy attending workshops and conducting research to supplement West40’s already proven approach to student support.

Director of Programming for West40 at St. Joseph Lezlie Fuhr and Youth-in-Care Coordinator Michell Martinez attended the Association of Children’s Residential & Community Services (ACRC) Conference in Chicago in March.

The conference focuses on behavioral health, neuroscience, trauma, and more while providing an opportunity for experts, doctors, and authors to share their knowledge with others.

“This is a premier organization that is on the cutting edge of this work,” said Fuhr. “The theme of this year’s conference comes from Maya Angelou’s quote, ‘When you know better, you do better.’ It is so appropriate for this evolving work.”

Meanwhile, LG Celtics Soccer Club will use the St. Joseph athletic field for its Spring season as we continue a partnership for a second consecutive year.