The list of what's been done tells its own story. Carpet replaced throughout the offices. Ceiling tiles refreshed. Two new HVAC units installed, the rest inspected, and all new thermostats put in. Light switches and outlets replaced. Bathrooms repaired, faucets swapped out, new dispensers installed. A fire suppression system added for safety. Fire extinguishers tested. The roof replaced. Dead bushes cut down. Pest control started. And nearly every inch of interior wall has been repainted.
"The Building Looks Brighter": How One Team Is Bringing Wesley Campus Back to Life
April 16, 2026
When Spero Family Services took over the Wesley Church Campus in Mount Vernon, the potential was clear. So was the work ahead.
"When Spero took over, the campus looked tired," says Cindy, who oversees facilities at the campus. "Facilities jumped right in and started to put some life back in it."
That was August 2025. Since then, the team has worked through the building systematically, doing the steady, unglamorous work that turns a tired space into one that actually serves people well.
Cindy says, "This building needed a lot of functional and cosmetic work. I am proud of my team and what we have accomplished so far."
The difference is already noticeable to anyone who walks through the doors. "The building looks brighter, and even smells so much better."
But the work isn't finished. The team has a clear-eyed list of what comes next: more exterior lighting, a full overhaul of the pavilion area — including electrical, roof, and gutters — tree and bush removal, new gutters throughout, a fellowship hall revamp, older HVAC replacements, and a repaired parking lot.
Each item on that list is part of making the Wesley Campus fully ready for the people it's meant to serve. "Wesley campus holds most of the community programs that serve clients and their families," Cindy shared. "So it's one location, which simplifies where people can go for help."
That's the whole point of this renovation. Not a beautiful building for its own sake, but a functional, welcoming, safe place where families in Southern Illinois can find what they need in one location — counseling, training, community programs, and more — without having to go elsewhere.
The facilities team has done remarkable work with the resources available. What still needs to be done will take community investment to finish.
"Just Doing Our Best": Meet The Staff Behind the Wheel
Most childcare centers focus on supervision. At Bright Start Early Learning Center, we focus on transformation. For children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, Bright Start provides more than quality early childhood education in Southern Illinois — we provide the foundation for lifelong learning, emotional security, and healthy development. Our teachers don't just watch children. They nurture, guide, and empower them. But what does that actually look like on a Tuesday morning in the Twos classroom?
