Teens from Kankakee and Bourbonnais Return to Pembroke Township
7/28/2011

Pembroke Township has been called the “lost corner of Kankakee” and described in a 2002 New York Times article as one of the poorest areas in the country. Located just 10 miles southeast of Kankakee, beyond miles of corn and soy bean fields, the community lies somewhat hidden. But it is not forgotten.

For the last eight years, Viatorian Associates Ken and Michelle Barrie have led teens from the Kankakee and Bourbonnais region on a mission trip to Pembroke. In July, they returned with 40 high school and college aged students who committed one of their summer weeks to helping the people in the region.

This “Hearts of Hope Mission” takes its name from the historic Sacred Heart Church, which was started in Pembroke by the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary. Three of its sisters continue to live there, led by Sr. MaryBeth Clements, SHHM.

“It’s holy ground,” Michelle Barrie says. “We want to take the kids to other places, but they want to come back here. They have a heart for this place --- and the people.”

Their projects this year ranged from cleaning and refurbishing local homes, to building a storage unit at Runaway Buckers Cowboy/Cowgirl Camp in the area, which the teens refer to as “the ranch.”

“Some of these homes have dirt floors and no running water,” Michelle Barrie says. “For these teens to know that there’s a poor community like this --- within a half hour of their homes --- is pretty powerful.”