G.E.D. Program

Friendship House, in partnership with Illinois Central College, is offering G.E.D. classes again this year. Both English and Spanish classes are available. Other classes include basic skills preparation, G.E.D. preparation, life skills, and skills for securing employment.

G.E.D. is offered free of charge. Please contact Friendship House Christian Services to find out. Contact our Director of Educational Programs, Melody Barclay, at 671-5200 or mbarclay@peoriafriendshiphouse.org.

Women's Auxiliary

The Women's Auxiliary is a group of women from the neighborhood and area churches who support the mission of Friendship House. The group meets the last Friday of the month, September though May. Dues are $30 per year. One of the highlights of the year is the annual luncheon in April at the Friendship House. The proceeds go to the Friendship House. For more information, contact Jo Krider at Friendship House - 671-5200.

The Friendship House Computer Lab

This fall, Friendship House opened an expanded computer lab in what was previously a maintenance room. Thanks to the efforts of Caterpillar Mossville employees (once again!) who donated money, time and materials in refurbishing the lab. In addition to remodeling the room, they donated some refurbished computers to use in the lab.

The lab will have ten workstations and will be more conductive to teaching and learning, with more space and a whiteboard. The lab also provides the internet.

We offer a computer club that is open to all individuals interested in learning about computers. Specific hours are set aside for a senior computer club, career skills lab, open neighborhood labs and summer camp.

An LCD projector is on Friendship House's wish list to project computer screen images onto a projection screen so students can follow along with an instructor. Look for more information on Friendship House computer offerings in the future.

Neighborhood Meetings

In addition to assisting low income persons living in the Friendship House target area, Friendship House is the site for the meetings of many neighborhood organizations such as Fight Back, Northside Averyville Coalition, and Old Towne North. Neighborhood focus groups also use the facility for special meetings such as Day of Racial Dialogue, etc. Our staff has collaborated on youth employment grants, acted as a fiscal agent for neighborhood group grants, and provided neighborhood garden space each summer.