The ultimate goal: To serve the poor, homeless, unemployed,
addicted, alcoholic, racially diversified, and all cultures.
The spirit and framework is still a continuation and extension
of the philosophy which helped found the original Friendship House
in Chicago. It's actual beginnings were founded in 1938, through
Catherine deHueck Doherty in Toronto, Canada; then in Chicago
and New York. Her ideals were to spread the word of God and do
good not only in words, but through action to promote personal,
religious and social well being of all persons and to establish
equality and mutual respect among people of different races, creeds,
social classes, cultures and sexes- to bring justice to the social
order of our society. All this is based upon the Scripture and
teachings of the Church, writings of the founder and philosophies
of M.L. King, Ghandi, Buddha and others to join together for the
glory of God and the salvation of all.
There are numerous stories told of its beginnings- of trials
and tribulations. There was much conflict and racial turmoil and
organizational problems with lay people and their roles. Many
tales are told of participants in this movement; contradictions
and creative pursuits by many courageous men and women to gain
justice for the least of our brothers and sisters. Friendship
House survived amidst the conflict and turmoil of “Catholic Action”
in the mid-20th century addressing social strife and injustice.
Many diaries and personal accounts have documented these events.
The famous writer, Thomas Melton, who became a Trappist Monk,
was a volunteer ( 40’s – 60’s). His writings drew many to see
the Friendship House as a beacon for the poor. “God writes
straight with a crooked line” states founder Catherine de
Hueck Doherty. This typifies the American Catholic activists of
the mid-20th century.
The culture of Friendship House involves liturgy and prayer
along with charity, activism, racial justice, Eastern and Western
Christianity, male and female leadership, Catholic and non-Catholic
and Left and Right politics. Catholic social thought is theologically
conservative and socially progressive.
The innovativeness of Friendship House probably helped write
the guidelines for VISTA- calling for practical racial equality.
In the 50’s, Friendship House changed from a mostly religious
community to a volunteer organization staffed by persons hired
and paid a small salary.
The Friendship House’s main MISSION is primarily on mercy rather
than “sacrifice”. The lay apostolate is called upon to follow
the biblical phrase- “Come follow Me and I will make you fishers
of men”. This charity work prospers through His Word not through
“funding machinery”. It is stressed that “anyone” can follow the
“call” to work for this organization through physical donations
or lay volunteerism and is perpetuated through public education.
The Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service is funded by
the Heart of Illinois United Way, churches, individuals, grants/foundations,
community support, and fund raisers.
The annual budget revenue for fiscal year 2001 was $555,511.00.
16% of that revenue came from church support.
29% came from The Heart of Illinois United Way.
22% from Grants and Foundations.
19% from community support, and,
14% from individual contributions.
We serve a community which is:
91% African-American
7% Hispanic
2% Asian, Caucasian or other
80% of our sevice area consists of individuals caring for families
with an average annual income below $10,000.00.
50% of the individuals receiving emergency assistance at Friendship
House are functionally illiterate.
