Children's Programs

Program Overview:
The purpose of the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service Children's Programs is to:

• Provide a safe environment for children to grow and learn
• Promote a child's respect for themselves and others
• Recognize the importance of family in a child's educational success
• Increase a child's knowledge in problem solving and decision making
• Open a child's mind up to new possibilities

Services Provided:

• After School Program
  The Friendship House After School Program, for grades K-8, provides schoolwork support and tutoring in a positive, nurturing environment. Students receive concentrated help in developing math, reading, and comprehensive skills. In addition, students are able to check out books from the Friendship House library. The children experience a variety of enrichment opportunities including music, dance, community involvement, mentoring, tutoring, roller skating, homework help, field trips, computer lab, 4-H, arts and crafts, sports, and more.
  
  
• Summer Camp
  Friendship House provides eight week summer camp for children of low-income families. Camp activities for children ages 5-12 include arts and crafts, sports, gardening, reading, community involvement, volunteerism, and more!
  
  
• Service Learning Components
  - Improve academic achievement
  - Increase student engagement
  - Improve social behavior
  - Build civic skills
  - Strengthen community partnerships

Program Facts/Accomplishments:
• Last year, over 100 children participated in Children's Programs at Friendship House.
• Over 90% of our after school attendees achieved grade level success by the school year's end.
• The number of students passing math and reading courses in school has increased by 15%.
• 2011 Summer Camp included: tennis instruction, movies at the Rave, swimming, Boy Scouts, and much more.

Contact: April Troyer   Director of Educational Programs
800 NE Madison ∙ Peoria, IL 61603
309-671-5200

This Program is funded by: