Neighborhoods are where we live meaningful lives. When people work together and support each other in community, the world becomes a better place. The Community House Network formed out of the desire to build healthy caring communities.
The CHN is a plan to strengthen healthy connections and relations within communities through the creation of communal spaces. The use of these communal spaces will be co-determined by those community members designated as leaders and mentors and will be based on enhancing the individual and collective well-being of all participants. This project comes out of the desire to transform neighborhoods struggling with job, financial and other insecurities. The use of the communal spaces will have the focus of empowering individuals. First and foremost, this program is designed to help individual members of a community discover their abilities and strengths, and then to find avenues to share those abilities in the world.
The CHN is a plan to strengthen healthy connections and relations within communities through the creation of communal spaces. The use of these communal spaces will be co-determined by those community members designated as leaders and mentors and will be based on enhancing the individual and collective well-being of all participants. This project comes out of the desire to transform neighborhoods struggling with job, financial and other insecurities. The use of the communal spaces will have the focus of empowering individuals. First and foremost, this program is designed to help individual members of a community discover their abilities and strengths, and then to find avenues to share those abilities in the world.
|
From owning a home, to living in community...
|
Foundational Principles |
To Build Healthy Communities the CHN is focused on the growth and development of all community members. It’s primary four areas of focus are:
|
|
The Community House Network operates out of the principle of self-organization. Community organizing is an art. It is as complex and nuanced as the communities within which it serves. The initial phase of the Community House Network has been to focus on the youth in the neighborhood of 700-800 W. Thrush, Peoria IL 61604. The emerging phase of the Community House Network brings together the adult and youth through apprenticeship opportunities, as well as a focus on the adult population entrepreneurialism, self-employment and more personal growth and self-development.
|
|
Serving the Community
The Community House Network is dedicated to serving the local community.
More About the Community Spaces
THE CENTER FOR CREATIVE LEARNING
800 W. Thrush Avenue is dedicated to creative learning activities for children and adults. It has hosted The Art Garage since 2018 and has hosted adult personal development opportunities from 12 step meetings to online courses designed to help individuals more deeply understand themselves and their place in the world.
Homeschool support is available for students who are non-traditional learners. This curriculum utilizes embodied, arts-based approaches to make learning fun. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety or aspergers, this curriculum may be for you. Please contact us for more information.
Homeschool support is available for students who are non-traditional learners. This curriculum utilizes embodied, arts-based approaches to make learning fun. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety or aspergers, this curriculum may be for you. Please contact us for more information.
THE SHOP CO-OP
This space is an approximately 600 sq foot garage with two commercial bays. It is designated for apprenticeship activities with youth in practical and high demand skill sets in auto mechanics, carpentry and plumbing. The garage space is open to members of the community for use in the areas of the trades.
The Shop Co-Op hosts the apprenticeship of youth and mentoring program.
The Shop Co-Op hosts the apprenticeship of youth and mentoring program.
THE COMMUNITY HOUSE
The Community House is located at 2223 Sheridan Rd and hosts community conversations and organizational meeting for the rest of the community house network. Meetings and scheduled events are listed on our Events Page.
Our Team
|
Abigail Larrison, PhD, EdD
Founder and Director of the Community House Network, NFP Abigail believes that what we do in the world will determine our tomorrow. People deserve to live their best lives. That looks different for each one of us. Within each of us is the God-given desire to fulfill our own life plan. The challenge is to discover that plan within. Abigail believes that when we connect to our values and hearts desires that go beyond the moment and the material, we can understand just exactly what we are here to share with the world. Uncovering and sharing those God-given gifts is what we were meant to do. When we do this we give back to the world, we extend our inner light. Children especially need to connect to their light and understand who they truly are. The youth programming is designed to help youth feel the goodness in the world and connect to the best parts of themselves. We can each live a beautiful, joy-filled life when we re-discover our life purpose and step onto our path. The Community House Network, NFP is designed as a place where each individual is honored and supported in stepping out on the journey of a life-time, learning to live one's best life. |
|
Kelly Beal
Kindness Ambassador Level 10! Keegans Krew, NFP Kelly joined our team in May 2021. She has helped us to realize the vision of creating loving and supportive community through the collaborative contribution of her own NFP, Keegan's Krew. Kelly's story is an incredible journey of strength and vision through tragedy. Her son, Keegan Beal, committed suicide after being mercilessly bullied at school. Her grief turned to anger, and then to action as she created a non-profit dedicated to changing the trend of cruelty. Her goal to help build empathy in our youth, teach tolerance and spread kindness have resulted in the creation of our Kindness Ambassador's programming. |
|
Bridget Meier
Director of Youth Programming Bridget also joined our team in May 2021, and is in charge of developing and coordinating our youth programming. She brings her literary prowess, creative insights, and fun attitude to all we do. Bridget helps our youth understand the basics of the virtues in a fun and engaging way. She encourages kindness through example, and makes being good fun. She also has a listening ear, and is especially attuned to our teenage set. Bridget created our First Saturday activity, "The Coloring Party". Here our community members come to enjoy some company, coloring together. There is nothing better to relieve stress than to get some crayons, colored pencils, or even fancy gel pens, and color. So come join us, from 3 to 6 during our open hours, or the first Saturday of the month for some creative expression and relaxation with your peers. |
|
Melanie Ball
Ambassador of Music Melanie joined us October 2021. She is our lead program assistant in music and early childhood activities. She has a background in professional theater and performance arts and brings these gifts to our afterschool programming. |
|
Acheviis
Art Teacher, First Apprentic Crew Acheviis, AKA Chevy, joined us in October and has jumped right in through creating art opportunities for our teen populations. He also supports activities in the Shop Co-op. |
