United Catholic Youth Ministries
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PROTECTION OF YOUTH & CHILDREN

Steps We Take

The staff and leadership of United Catholic Youth Ministries take the protection of our youth, children, and vulnerable adults very seriously. Below are the steps we take to protect our youth and children as well as vulnerable adults in compliance with the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for the Protection of Children & Youth. 

All UCYM adult volunteers and staff are compliant with the mandates of the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for the Protection of Children & Youth as well as further steps taken by any of our Evanston parishes and UCYM itself. 

Every adult volunteer and staff member at the age of 18 and older does the following:
  • At orientation:
    • Signs the Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior (ASB).
    • Submits to a criminal background check (CBC).
  • Within 15 days of their first day volunteering or working:
    • Completes Protecting God's Children Virtus Training (PGC).
    • Completes training to become a mandated reporter (MRT). 
  • Annually:
    • Completes a monthly bulletin on child protection via Virtus. 
    • Resigns the Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior.
  • Every 3 years
    • Recertifies as a mandated reporter (every 3 years).
    • Completes the Keeping the Promise Alive (KPA) Virtus recertification.
    • Submits to a criminal background check.

All staff are identifiable by a photo ID or name badge.
Every staff member for United Catholic Youth Ministries is required to wear a name or ID badge that identifies them as a staff member in whatever capacity they have discussed with the Office of United Catholic Youth Ministries during events in which youth and vulnerable adults are present. 

All adult volunteers and staff are continually educated.
Every adult volunteer and staff member, keeps current with the monthly bulletins that are sent out through their Virtus account after they have completed the training. Virtus accounts are checked twice a year and volunteers and staff are notified if they are nearing the mark where their account would be suspended for incomplete monthly bulletins. 

What if an adult volunteer or staff member's Virtus account passes the number of missed monthly training bulletins?
Volunteer and staff member accounts are flagged after 24 missed bulletins, which accumulates to 2 years of missed bulletins. At that time, until at least 12 bulletins are completed, they are not able to return to active ministry – this policy is enforced by the Office of United Catholic Youth Ministries with the endorsement of the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for the Protection of Children & Youth.

What if an adult volunteer or staff member violates the Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior?
If an adult volunteer of staff member violates any part of the Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior, the situation will be brought to the staff of United Catholic Youth Ministries who will seek counsel from the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for the Protection of Children & Youth on how to proceed with collaboration from local parish Human Resources staff. If any physical or mental abuse is caused or alleged, it will result in immediate suspension from active ministry and an investigation will be opened with the Department of Child and Family Services and the Archdiocese of Chicago. If allegations of abuse or other violations of the Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior are unfounded, the adult volunteer or staff member in question as well as the person who felt victimized and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will be given the opportunity for healing. The adult volunteer or staff member will be given the chance to return to active ministry at the discretion of the United Catholic Youth Ministries staff, parish pastors, and with affirmation from the Archdiocese of Chicago. 
Office for the Protection of Children & Youth

Visit the website of the  Office For The Protection of Children & Youth for more information, resources, and training.
OPCY Website

UCYM Virtus Administrator
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James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB
847-719-9071 x2
email James
"It is my duty and moral imperative to enforce all child protection compliance with any adult leaders of UCYM to promote a safe space here at UCYM. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns and I can walk you through the best practice and, if I don't have the answer, I will be happy to ask the Archdiocese. UCYM is here for you." -James H-C

Compliance Resources
  • Compliance Chart
  • Tabla de Cumplimiento
  • Criminal Background Check Form
  • Verificación de Antecedentes Criminales
  • Code of Conduct
  • Código de Conducta
  • OPCY Risky Behaviors
  • Comportamientos de Riesgo​
  • VIRTUS Brochure
  • VIRTUS Website
  • Mandated Reporter Training
  • ​Fingerprinting (obtain form from school)

Contact & Visit Us

San José Sánchez del Río UCYM Center
St. Theresa Building - St. Nicholas Parish Campus
1108 Washington Street
Evanston, IL 60202
(P) 847-719-9071 (E) ​office@ucym.org

Mailing Address
806 Ridge Avenue
c/o UCYM Office
Evanston, IL 60202

UCYM Center Hours*
Monday-Friday 3-8 pm or by appointment
Saturday & Sunday by appointment

*Subject to change

Quick Links

​Closed on Sunday Podcast
Covid-19 Vaccine
​Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Flocknote Sign-Up
Join our Team!
Leadership Academy
Mental Health Matters
Protection of Youth & Children
Quinceañera Ministry
​Youth Group

Connect with Us


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​WATCH OUT FOR SPAM!

Any email sent from us will either be sent by Flocknote (mail@flocknote.com) or by a member of the UCYM staff or Ministry Team using an email address firstname@ucym.org. Please send other email to Spam and please let us know at office@ucym.org if you receive any spam messages so that we can alert others to a possible scam.

​© United Catholic Youth Ministries. All Rights Reserved.

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Site powered by The Archdiocese of Chicago
  • About UCYM
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
    • Protection of Children & Youth
    • Who We Are
    • Leadership >
      • Our Staff
      • Boards and Councils
      • Leadership Academy
      • Opportunities
    • Renew My Church
    • Calendar
    • News & Updates
    • Donate
    • Store
  • For Youth
    • Start Here
    • Anti-Racism Pilot
    • Youth Group
    • Youth Council
    • Campus Ministry
    • Retreats >
      • Metanoia
      • Kairos
      • Emmaus Retreat
      • 24-Hour No Phone Retreat
      • Offline
      • Spirit Day
    • Archdiocesan Programs >
      • Holy Fire
      • NCYC
      • Totus Tuus
    • For Children >
      • Religious Education
      • Confirmation
      • Children's Liturgy of the Word
      • Vacation Bible School
  • For Young Adults
    • Start Here
    • 20s & 30s Group
    • Podcast
    • College Outreach
    • Young Adult Council
    • Theology On Tap
    • Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
    • Alpha
    • World Youth Day 2023
  • Hispanic Ministry
    • Start Here
    • Pastoral Juvenil
    • Quinceañera Ministry
    • Consejo Hispano
    • Hispanic Celebrations >
      • Day of the Dead
      • Our Lady of Guadalupe
    • Resources >
      • V Encuentro
      • USCCB
  • Prayer
    • Start Here
    • Lectio Divina
    • Click to Pray
  • Service
    • Start Here
    • HER Drive
    • Snack Drive
    • SNAP Gap
    • Care for Creation >
      • Start Here
      • Archdiocese of Chicago
      • Community Garden
  • Sports
  • Resources
    • Synod on Synodality
    • Mental Health Awareness
    • Need to Talk?
    • Covid-19
    • Advocacy >
      • Start Here
      • Catholic Relief Services
      • Immigration Ministry
      • Respect Life
      • Domestic Violence
      • Kolbe House Jail Ministry
      • Amate House
      • Equality for Women in the Church
      • Affirmed–LGBTQ Ministry
      • God Is On Your Side: A State from Catholic Bishops Protecting LGBTQ Youth
      • Exodus World Service
      • Black Lives Matter
      • Interfaith Action of Evanston
      • USCCB
      • St. Kateri Center of Chicago
    • Vocations >
      • Start Here
      • Cava
      • Archdiocese of Chicago
      • USCCB