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 for mandated reporters (CANTS 689).
  • Within 14 days of their first day volunteering or working:
    • Registers for a Virtus account and submits to a criminal background check (CBC).
    • Completes Protecting God's Children Virtus Training (PGC).
    • Completes training to become a mandated reporter (MRT). 
  • Monthly:
    • Completes a bulletin on child protection via Virtus. 
  • Annually:
    • Resigns the Archdiocesan Standards of Behavior (ASB).
  • Every 3 years
    • Recertifies as a mandated reporter (MRT).
    • Completes the Keeping the Promise Alive (KPA) Virtus recertification.
    • Submits to a criminal background check (CBC) via Virtus.

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 the office, on campus, and during events in which youth and vulnerable adults are present and when they are a representative of United Catholic Youth Ministries. 

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. 

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 by the UCYM Office 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 administration 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 of the accused 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 and reconciliation. The adult volunteer or staff member will be given the chance to return to active ministry at the discretion of the administration of United Catholic Youth Ministries, parish pastors, and with guidance and clearance 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 x291
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 Center | Main Office
St. Nicholas Campus of St. John XXIII Parish
1108 Washington Street
Evanston, IL 60202

St. Francis of Assisi Center | Satellite Office
St. Athanasius Campus of St. John Newman Parish
​UNDER CONSTRUCTION
2510 Ashland Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201

Phone: 847-719-9071
Email: 
​office@ucym.org

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

Main Office Hours
Monday 3-8 pm
Tuesday 3-8 pm
Wednesday 3-8 pm
Thursday 3-8 pm
Friday 3-9 pm
Saturday by appointment
Sunday by appointment

Quick Links

Closed on Sunday Podcast
​​Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Leadership Academy
Protection of Youth & Children
Renew My Church
Quinceañera Ministry
​
SEED
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 Team
      • Boards and Councils
      • Join Our Team!
    • Calendar
    • Renew My Church
    • Donate
    • News & Updates
    • Store
  • For Youth
    • Start Here
    • Anti-Racism Pilot
    • Leadership Academy >
      • Start Here
      • Leader-in-Training
      • Saints-in-Training
      • Discipleship Learning
      • Peer Ministry
      • Youth Minister Formation
    • Campus Ministry
    • Archdiocesan Programs >
      • Holy Fire
      • NCYC
      • Totus Tuus
      • Spirit Day
    • For Children >
      • Children's Liturgy of the Word
      • Confirmation
      • Religious Education
      • Vacation Bible School
    • Retreats >
      • Emmaus Retreat
      • Kairos
      • Metanoia
      • Offline
      • 24-Hour No Phone Retreat
    • Youth Council
    • Youth Group
  • For Young Adults
    • Start Here
    • 20s & 30s Group
    • Alpha
    • College Outreach
    • Podcast
    • Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
    • SEED
    • Theology On Tap
    • World Youth Day 2023
    • Young Adult Council
  • Hispanic Ministry
    • Start Here
    • Consejo Hispano
    • Hispanic Celebrations >
      • Day of the Dead
      • Hispanic Heritage Month
      • Our Lady of Guadalupe
    • Pastoral Juvenil
    • Quinceañera Ministry
    • Resources >
      • V Encuentro
      • USCCB
  • Prayer
    • Start Here
    • Lectio Divina
    • Click to Pray
  • Service
    • Start Here
    • Care for Creation >
      • Start Here
      • Archdiocese of Chicago
      • Community Garden
    • HER Drive
    • Snack Drive
    • SNAP Gap
  • Resources
    • Advent
    • Archdiocesan Agencies >
      • Start Here
      • Amate House
      • Care for Creation Ministry
      • Catholic Relief Services
      • Domestic Violence
      • Kolbe House Jail Ministry
      • Pastoral Migratoria
      • Respect Life
      • St. Kateri Center of Chicago
      • USCCB
    • Covid-19
    • Equality for Women in the Church
    • LGBTQ+ Community >
      • AGLO
      • God Is On Your Side: A State from Catholic Bishops Protecting LGBTQ Youth
      • New Ways Ministry
      • Outreach - An LGBTQ Catholic Resource
    • Mental Health Awareness
    • National Eucharistic Revival
    • Need to Talk?
    • Partnerships >
      • Blessed Sacrament Youth Center
      • Catholic Athletes for Christ
      • Coalition to End Homelessness in Evanston
      • Evanston Cradle to Careet
      • Evanston Latinos
      • Interfaith Action of Evanston
      • Laudato Si' Action Platform
      • New Ways Ministry
      • Tyler Clementi Foundation
      • Sheil Catholic Center
    • Synod on Synodality
    • Vocations >
      • Start Here
      • Cava
      • Archdiocese of Chicago
      • USCCB
  • Staff Login