Ottawa Youth Program (OYP)
424 W. Madison St.
Ottawa, IL 61350
nancy@ysbiv.org

OYP Community Organizer Bio

Hi and welcome.  My name is Nancy Bukantis and I am the Ottawa Youth Program Coordinator.  I am married to Larry and have three children:  Courtney, Bradley and Abigail.  I have lived in Ottawa for 19 years.  I began volunteering in the schools and then in the Ottawa Youth Program in 2006.  I became the Ottawa Program Coordinator in July of 2007.  I enjoy working with kids of all ages and am always looking for new and creative things to do with my children which lead me to the Ottawa Youth Program.

History of Ottawa Youth Program

The Ottawa Youth Program was formed in 2001. In the beginning, YSB staff met with Shepherd middle school student council and developed a group called Team S.P.O.T. (Super Organized Ottawa Teens). There were a few interested youth who met and planned a few activities for the spring and summer of that year. YSB staff at that time was Kelly Stringer and Julie Wicks.

The Ottawa Youth Program has continued to provide youth and family activites in Ottawa although Team S.P.O.T. dissolved and now activities are planned by adults.

Sample activites: Family Movie Days at the Roxy Cinemas, Ski trips, Paintball trip, Great America, Jr. High flashlight egg hunt, youth carnival games, fall flashlight scavenger hunt, and Disney on ice bus trips to name a few. The program is probably best known for the Annual Family Swim at the Riordan Pool in August.

Please feel free to e-mail Nancy with any questions or concerns you may have.