`One big family” is the three-word description that crops up regularly among those asked to describe the Peter Claver Center in Joliet.
Chief among that busy “family’s” activities is Ozzie and Peggy Mitchell’s karate program, which enrolls about 100 students a year.
The Joliet Catholic Diocese opened the center on Feb. 2, 1950, to provide neighborhood recreation. Now the center also delivers 1,600 Thanksgiving baskets to the needy, runs a tutoring program and offers peer leadership, computer and sewing classes and a resume service.
“The Peter Claver Center started as an outreach in the black community.” said Rev. Stanley Orlikiewicz, pastor of the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet who serves on the center’s board of directors. “It was a way to bring the church’s concerns to and be present in the community. Now it’s really become people of the community working for the good of the community. It’s a stabilizing presence on the southeast side of Joliet.”
The Joliet Diocese turned over operation of the center to a lay board in 1971, and the $220,000 it takes every year to run the center comes from a $70,000 United Way grant, funding from community groups and private contributors.
The karate program has been taught for the past 29 years by the Mitchells, who moved to Joliet from Florida to follow their karate instructor. They have been fixtures at the center since they arrived in 1969 (Peggy also serves as president of the center’s board of directors, and Ozzie is the center’s director).
No one is turned away from the karate program. Ozzie says that students who can afford it occasionally pay $20 to $30, but 80 percent of the class pays nothing.
“We taught many kids,” Peggy said. “We’ve taught people from all walks of life, including two priests.”
Ozzie first saw a karate demonstration in 1964, and he and Peggy began taking classes.
“It was very disciplined. Our teacher taught us not just the way of martial arts but a way for life,” said Ozzie, who works full time at Caterpillar Inc. in Joliet. “He was a positive role model. When you’re a student of the martial arts, it changes your life in many ways,” including improving attitudes and giving patience, he said.
Peggy loves the sport so much she also gives lessons at the Briggs Street YMCA in Joliet and through the New Lenox and Manhattan Park Districts.
“It helps you through stress. I get a joy out of working with children and seeing them get confidence,” she said; Peggy and Ozzie have four adult children. “Karate teaches you a respect for one another that you can’t buy or borrow.”
Manhattan residents Julie and Chad Smith have been attending the classes at the center on weekend nights for the past four years. Chad first signed up for Peggy’s class in 1994 through the YMCA where Julie was working as an aerobics instructor. He encouraged her to sign up for a self-defense class, they began dating and were married.
“I enjoy it; it’s something we can do together,” Julie said. “It’s good to be here as a family, and it relieves stress. We’ve made a lot of close friendships.”
The Peter Claver karate team, including the Smiths, recently traveled to the world karate championships in Ireland, where Julie Smith won a gold medal in form and Chad Smith won a gold cup as part of the five-man black belt team.
“The highlight of our trip was when Chad made that,” Julie said.
John Townsley of Palatine, who served as the head coach of the 70-member Team USA on its overseas trip, said he has known the Mitchells for at least 25 years.
“They are super people. I really enjoy having them work with us,” he said. “They’ve turned out very good students over the years. And they are just a pleasure to be around.”
At the center, the success of the karate program spills over. Julie Smith, a 2nd-grade teacher, assists the tutoring program for children.
“This gets the kids off the street and gives them somewhere to go,” she said. “Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the greatest. Mr. Mitchell makes a big difference in everyone’s life. You can always come to them for advice.”
“He’s such a wise man. I aim to be just like him,” added Chad Smith, who has begun teaching in Peggy’s karate classes.
Children on the center’s karate team are required to show their school report cards.
“The students have to have the grades,” Ozzie said. Those who don’t get A’s and B’s have to show improvement in order to stay in karate. “Karate is very good for them because it helps with everyday life.”
“Karate teaches kids great self-esteem and helps with self-confidence,” Peggy explained.
New Lenox resident Jan Dombrowski, who volunteers in the office at the center, was drawn to volunteer at the center through son Craig’s involvement in the karate program. Now 15, Craig began taking karate classes with Peggy when he was 7.
“I enjoy the challenge of karate,” Craig said.
Jan Dombrowski said she believes karate has helped him with his schoolwork.
“He made the honor roll. It’s helped him with discipline and given him a lot of self-confidence,” she said.
At the world championships, Craig took a gold medal in forms and a bronze medal in sparring. “I was ecstatic,” he said.
Jan Dombrowski praises the Mitchells. “They are wonderful. They give so much. Being here is like a family. Everyone takes care of each other,” she said.
“There will never be anyone to replace them,” added Craig, who will be leaving for college next year.
Mokena resident T.C. Leonard said she and her husband began training after taking one of Peggy’s classes about eight years ago. Since they’ve been taking karate lessons, they’ve also begun helping with other things at the center.
“The reason we do so much volunteer work is because it’s become our family,” she said. “The reason we do so much is because everyone loves (the Mitchells) and respects them.”
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For more information about the Peter Claver Center, 172 S. Chicago St., Joliet, call 815-722-6361.
