The Rev. Rodney Reinhart is hoping an act of kindness to his Harvey church will be the spark the youths in his struggling town are looking for.

     Reinhart, the pastor of St. Clement's Episcopal Church, was ecstatic when members of the Chicago Painters and Allied Trades International Union agreed to give a facelift to his old church.

     But now he wants to expand on the gift, seeing an opportunity to get local youth involved in the union.

    Job training for Harvey's teens and young adults, according to Reinhart, could help counteract the negative effects of gangs and drugs in the impoverished suburb known as the Southland's murder capital.

    Harvey's youth population also has a unique opportunity to become involved as union craftsmen.

    "The union is really looking for young people, especially minority young people, to join, get the type of education the union offers and to become full-fledged union painters with solid training this union can give," Reinhart said following a special day service at the church at 15245 S. Loomis St.

     Apprenticeship school instructor Michael Krawiec agreed, saying blacks are underrepresented in union work, adding that Latinos have been more involved.

     "A lot of people think that we're exclusive, when we're really an inclusive group," Krawiec said.

      It took about three weeks earlier this year for apprentices from Painters District Council No. 14 to plaster and paint the church erected in 1922.

      Gerry Padilla, a union member, suggested that Reinhart seek out the union's help after church members determined repairs could cost about $30,000.

      Union coordinator James Watte agreed to donate the work to the church.

      Reinhart is a strong believer in the good that can come of union membership.

      The Michigan native is a member of the auto worker's and teacher's unions. Both the church and unions promote the idea of social justice and quality, Reinhart said.

      During the two-hour service, Reinhart and the Right Rev. Victor Scantlebury presented members of the union with a lithograph photograph of the church.

     Aldermen Ronald Waters (6th) and Joseph Whittington (2nd) also were on hand to present a proclamation thanking the union members.

     The union has received a lot of interest from students at Thornton Township and Thornwood high schools, Watte said.

     Anyone interested in more information on the apprenticeship school can call the school at (708) 449-5282 or visit www.jatc-dftc.org.

William Lee may be reached at
wlee@dailysouthtown.com
or (708) 633-6747.