contact the ucym rlt: reopening@ucym.org

Reopening Volunteer Registration

UCYM REOPENING LEADERSHIP TEAM (RLT)

James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB

co-Leader | Compliance Manager

Mirka Gallo, MSW

co-Leader | co-Compliance Manager

Sam Carlson

co-Leader | Welcoming Captain

Josue Ortiz

Co-Leader | Digital Engagement Manager

Madison McGuire

Teen Captain

Dr. Daniela Menichella

Evelyn Ramirez

Co-Leader | Safety Captain

Jason McKean

Ronabel Castillo

Alex Roman

Teen Captain

Valerie Romano

Auxiliary Members: Ministry Team

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Policies and Procedures for In-Person Gatherings

Volunteers

• Schedule will be created for each event 
  • Volunteer check-in required
• Minimum number of volunteers per event
  • Youth and Family Ministry (5-6)
    • 2 Greeters
    • 1 Registration (could be a greeter)
    • 1 Maintenance/Health Person
    • 2 for clean-up
  • Young Adult Ministry (4)
    • 1 greeter
    • 1 for registration
    • 2 for clean-up

Registration

• Pre-registration will be required for all in-person events.
• If space fills up, registration will automatically close.
• There will be no in-person registration available for youth events. There will be in-person registration available for young adult events on a needed basis.

Clarifications for Students enrolled in Religious Education or a Catholic School:

• Students who are enrolled and attend classes in-person in a catholic school will not be allowed to mix into cohorts with youth outside of their school for in-person youth group. School specific cohorts may be created for youth group.
• Students who are enrolled in a religious education program that has in-person gatherings are not allowed to register for in-person youth ministry programs. If a student is enrolled in youth group and not in an in-person program for religious education, they will be permitted to still attend their retreat, but will have to wait at least two weeks following the retreat before returning to their youth group cohort.
• Students who are enrolled in any program listed above who will not be allowed to register for in-person youth ministry programs CAN attend any liturgical functions (Family Adoration, Youth Mass, etc.) without restriction.

Social Distancing 

• 6 feet in spaces will be set up for seating areas and standing room
• Folding chairs will be used for seating

Masks 

• Masks must be worn at all times while present on parish grounds
• Must cover the mouth and nose at all times
• Extra masks will be available
• Masks with an external filter device are not permitted
• Bandanas are not permitted as a singular face covering
• Scarves are not permitted as a singular face covering
• If a youth or adult volunteer or staff feels suffocated or generally uncomfortable during an indoor event, they can step outside and lower their mask for a short time. If they are outside, they can step away from the group, at least 100 feet, and lower their mask for a short time. An adult volunteer must accompany them.

Food and Drink

• No outside food will be permitted 
• Food may not be shared for any reason
• Any food must have been distributed by UCYM 
• No drinks that cannot be closed will be permitted (e.g. cans)

Events Location

• All in-person (non-liturgical ) meetings and events for UCYM will take place at the UCYM Center until further notice.

Communication

• All communication will go out through Flocknote.

UCYM Center

• Absolutely no horseplay.
• The UCYM Center will not be used by any groups other than groups that are under the umbrella of UCYM 
  • St. Nicholas Parish Religious Education classes, meetings, events, etc. may not take place in the UCYM Center under any circumstances. The Gym, per the Religious Education reopening plan, will also not be used and, if needed, will be communicated to the UCYM staff.
  • The UCYM Staff will collaborate with Pope John XXIII School Athletics Department on the Gym schedule when athletics are reinstated.

Space Sanitizing

• Completed at least one hour before each event
• After each event

Device Charging

• Charging stations will be set in one place in the Main Room of the UCYM Center
  • No personal chargers will be permitted
  • No soliciting while a device is charging

Restrooms

• Will be available
  • One person will be permitted to use the restroom at a time
  • Maintenance volunteer will sanitize after each use

Discipline

• 3-Strike Rule for Youth
  • 1st strike is a written warning
  • 2nd strike is probation and parents are called
  • 3rd strike for intentionally breaking rules results in being sent home
  • Strikes do not reset after each event
    • If sent home
      • Follow-up conversation must happen
        • Next incident results in suspension at the discretion of the UCYM staff
• Warning System for Adults
  • After one warning following intentional rule breaking, suspension will take place

Entrance and Exit

• Entrance will be through the west entrance of the St. Theresa Building
  • Name will be checked on list
  • Hand sanitizing will happen upon entering
  • Questions will be asked
  • Temperature will be checked
    • If a temperature is higher than 100.3 (100.4 or higher), we will ask participant to return home
• Exit will be through the north doors of the St. Theresa Building, letting out on Washington Street
  • Hand sanitizing will happen upon exiting

Safety Measures

• UCYM staff and parish pastors reserve the right, at any time, to send a participant home that they feel, within reason of the below symptoms from the Center for Disease Control, is possibly sick. 
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Communication of Possible Exposure

• If it is reported that a participant, volunteer, or staff member present at an in-person event, within a two-week period following the event, has tested positive for COVID-19, the following will take place:
  • Every participant, volunteer, and staff member will be notified via email and phone call
    • The person will never be revealed by name per HIPPA law
    • Participants, volunteers, and staff will be advised to quarantine for 14 days following the report, monitor their health for symptoms, and advise their health care physician
  • The Evanston parish pastors will receive a notice
  • The St. Nicholas Parish Business Manager will receive a notice
    • Report will be sent by James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB
  • Pope John XXIII School will receive a notice
    • Report will be sent to Dr. Molly Cinnamon, Principal by James Holzhauer-Chuckas, ObSB
  • The UCYM Center will be closed for two full weeks following the report
    • The UCYM staff will work remotely
    • Disinfecting measures will be taken while the center is closed
  • Before returning, the person who reported they were sick must present an official note that they test negative for COVID-19
    • If any other participants, volunteers, or staff become sick, they will also be asked to provide an official note that they test negative for COVID-19
    • Any UCYM staff member who was present within the period of the reported positive Covid-19 test must be tested before returning to active ministry 

​Field Trips

• Off-site activities in which youth travel off-site with UCYM staff and volunteers will not be permitted until further notice.

YOUTH MINISTRY

Youth Ministry – Hybrid Reopening
Youth Group Meetings - see Youth Group Reopening

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Young Adult Ministry – Hybrid Reopening
Weekly Lectio Divina (currently virtual)

• Monday nights at 7 pm
  • Registration required when in-person
  • Meeting outside as much as possible

Walk-in Registration

• Walk-in registration will be permitted, but only on a needed basis. Pre-registration will be the preferred admission method.

Large Events (Theology on Tap, Book Clubs, etc.)

• Virtual format as default. In-person if proper safety measures can be put in place as well as the local municipal guidelines are met

PASTORAL FAMILIAR (FAMILY MINISTRY)

Pastoral Familiar (Family Ministry) – Hybrid Reopening
Consejo Hispano (Hispanic Council) Meetings

• Registration required
• Meeting outside as much as possible
• Default indoor meeting space: Gym
• Children and youth are allowed to attend with their parent(s)/guardian(s), but must remain in the identified area with their parent(s)/guardian(s) at all times

QUINCEAÑERA MINISTRY

Quinceañera Ministry – Hybrid Reopening
Adjusted Requirements - see Quinceañera Ministry page for more information.
Formation

• Once a month on the third Saturday at 11:00 am
  • Registration required
• 3 faith formation units are virtual until further notice

Fee

• Temporary fee adjustment to $250
• Scholarship available as requested

Ceremony

• Depends on each parish 
• Outdoor blessing option available

UCYM OFFICE

UCYM Office – Hybrid Reopening
Meetings with UCYM staff

• By appointment only
• Virtual as much as possible
• If in-person meeting is specifically requested, meeting will be scheduled 12 hours in advance

CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD

Children's Liturgy of the Word - Virtual 
Weekly bilingual videos will be posted on Sunday. See Children's Resources for more information.

UCYM Masses – Hybrid Reopening
UCYM Masses will reopen in a hybrid model with the option for live stream viewing as well as occasional in-person attendnace. See the Music & Liturgy page for more information.

We are certified by the Archdiocese of Chicago for reopening.