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.

Workforce Investment Program

The Friendship Workforce Investment Program is a year round service that provides a variety of opportunities for economically challenged youth to build life, work, and academic skills. The overall goal of this WIA program
program is that all participants will graduate from high school and continue their education at a college level or begin a successful career in the workforce.

Music Program

Most of the energy that radiates from the Friendship House comes from MUSIC. Music Director, Johnny Payne, leads the children every day in music activities that lift the soul. Johnny has an amazing ability to take scriptures from the Bible and put them to music. Our children are memorizing the Word of God through Music. We believe that this approach to teaching the Bible will stick with our children for life.

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.