Friendship House of Jesus offers a multifaceted out-of-school-time program combining academic, physical, spiritual and arts education, serving children between the ages of 4 and 17. Most participants are residents from the Hutto McIver Projects and Simms Apartments - both of which are government-subsidized housing projects adjacent to the Friendship House. The facility operates after school throughout the school year and half days in the summer. All participants receive services at no charge.

Transportation

Friendship House has two 15 passenger vans that transport participants at no charge from every elementary school in Decatur County to the Friendship House and then home after the daily programs.

Academic Tutoring/Enrichment

Friendship House provides a quiet area for participants to do their homework after school. Volunteer tutors are also available for assistance if needed.

Bible Studies

During the 2007 school year the Friendship House has introduced a new Bible curriculum called Visual Story Bible. This curriculum consists of repetitive story telling, reliving the accounts of the Bible. The curriculum includes the creation of the earth, Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, God's promise to Abraham, the calling of Moses, the Ten Commandments, the Tabernacle on through the birth and life of Jesus. The goal is for the children to be able to tell the stories back to their parents, siblings, friends and teachers at school along with the message of Jesus in each story. The children are taught that every story in the Bible leads to the Messiah, Jesus. And believe me, they can tell you these stories. Through out each week the children get pictures, short videos and skits at the end of the day in the "Big Room", in order to give visual confirmation of the stories that are being told in the class room. The children participate in the skits using costumes, props, special lighting, fog machines, song and dance. Wow what a show! There's nothing else like it in town.

Renaissance Vocabulary Program

The mission of Friendship House's Renaissance Vocabulary Program is to help targeted children raise their reading scores at school, by teaching them words that correspond to the Renaissance Reading Program. This success will cause children to enjoy reading.

The Friendship House is privileged to collaborate with Elcan-King School, in order to teach the Renaissance Vocabulary Program, which corresponds to the Renaissance Accelerated Reader Program. The goal is for each child to score 80% on the computerized Renaissance Vocabulary Quiz. A book will be read to the whole class and vocabulary words explained and defined. Only targeted children (ones that have a record of consistent attendance) will be given a quiz by computer.

Stop It Before It Starts Program (SIBIS)
Substance Abuse Prevention and Behavior Modification

This year round substance prevention and behavior modification program targets 4-6 year old boys and girls. The SIBIS program is prepared to teach children how to: express feelings appropriately, make and keep friends, accept differences, solve problems peacefully, cope with difficulties, gain self-esteem, use kind words, keep themselves safe and healthy and understand that tobacco, alcohol and other drugs are not for children. The SIBIS Program uses a researched based, nationally recognized, model curriculum called Al's Pals which is produced by Wingspan. Al's Pals uses engaging activities, role play, brainstorms, puppets, and original music. This evidence-based program increases positive social skills in young children and stops an increase in aggressive behavior before it starts. In addition to the Al's Pals curriculum there are interactive speaking engagements, workshops and audio visual material. Assessments and evaluations are made throughout the course of the program to document progress of the participant's knowledge gained on substance abuse prevention and to track improvements in behavior.