Friendship House was conceived out of a mothers love for her son who was born with a developmental disability. Mrs. McCormick, knowing there were no programs for Bob in the early 1950's, worked tirelessly to support Bob with his education, growth, and independence. Mrs. McCormick knew Bob's potential and proved the experts wrong, as Bob learned and grew daily. Knowing the importance of a structured program filled with loving and dedicated teachers, Mrs. McCormick reached out to other families needing support for loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1953, Jane McCormick partnered with other families to form a group called the Mother's Club for Exceptional Children.
In 1955 The Mother's Club grew and started offering structured courses for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These courses focused on supporting the individual and family as they strived to advance the potential of every student. Known as Echo School, the children and young adults were challenged and skills continued to improve. Because of this program, more independence and self-reliance was achieved daily.
In 1966 as the children grew and developed, they reached adulthood and needed to have a purpose and meaning in their lives. Friendship House was launched with the goal of ensuring the young men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities were an integral part of the community. This enabled them to be productive citizens and fully integrate into the community. Mrs. McCormick was a trailblazer and new that Bob's success was dependent on giving him a loving stable environment rich in educational programming and the opportunity to reach his fullest potential.
Friendship house thrived on the continued growth of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and opened a semi-independent living program for individuals to live on their own with support from staff. Bob was not only one of the first students in Echo School, but also one of the first to live in a residential home located in Ottawa Illinois. This semi-independent program was a true success for individuals who wished for independence but needed some oversight from the staff at Friendship House.
Friendship House has celebrated over 50 years of committed excellence to individuals and families in need. Friendship House is a 22-acre site just south of Ottawa. The organization provides daily supportive services to over 100 individuals with developmental disabilities, and has served hundreds over the years.
Understanding the importance of obtaining meaningful employment, Friendship House opened a sheltered workshop that has garnered attention from corporations that seek out support for various jobs. Many individuals with developmental disabilities have also been supported by Friendship House in obtaining employment in the campus workshop and many businesses in Ottawa and the surrounding suburbs.
Friendship House also has day programming with a unique resident-centered approach. Our day programming encourages individuals to be self-directed. With a beautiful campus and loving supervision, individuals enjoy being outside daily for fresh air, sunshine, and companionship. Whether inside participating in music therapy, art, and fun educational programming or outside singing, walking, chasing butterflies or riding a bike, this campus and program is an ideal environment for enriching every individual's life.
Knowing the importance of programming for our older population, Friendship House has a unique program, full of love and a home-style feel. Our geriatric program is equipped to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and dementia. Our uniquely trained staff have equipped the room with sensory items unique to this special population.
We help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities both young and old live a fulfilling life supported by staff members who focus on the person and relationship. For Friendship House, it is about family, acceptance, and belonging. We strive daily to be a trusted provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where every person has the opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential.
We help by taking away barriers, and treating individuals like family and supporting them in what they wish for their lives. We support individuals in the community integrated living arrangements with 24/7 supervision. We support individuals who are more independent and need occasional support. We support individuals during the day with excellent programming based on self-directed autonomy. We support people who want to work find employment or employ them in our workshop.
Individuals and families have been a part of Friendship House for over 50 years. They are more than the individuals and families we have served for decades, they are family. The family is forever and our commitment is providing services with integrity, quality, and love for our extended family.
Friendship House's many programs and services provide care and supervision 365 days a year to individuals in need, as we never close our doors. Friendship House has a great future, and we have proven over the last 50 years our focus has always been and always will be the welfare of the individuals we are privileged to serve. Our Mission is simple and powerful "To improve the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Our plans are to continue to champion the growth and spirit of the individuals we serve. Maintaining a commitment of quality, as we expand our programming to reach more individuals dreaming of reaching their full potential.
An investment with Friendship House is an investment in dreams and potential. Investments in Friendship House ensures the highest quality living environment for individuals. It ensures that activities and daily community engagement are available to each and every one of the individuals we serve. To see an individual sing for the first time, ride a bike, paint a masterpiece or stock shelves at work is truly remarkable. Dream with us and be a part of this wonderful committed organization built around the needs of the individuals served. Friendship House was fostered by a mothers love of her son 50 years ago, invest in the continued success of that Friendship House dream.
