PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2023

Families receive food from volunteers at Friendship House

COMMENTARY

AT FRIENDSHIP HOUSE… saving lives, empowering families

BY MARCELLUS SOMMERVILLE PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

L ooking back, the past three years at Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service have been a time of tremendous progress! Our strategic focus and willingness to adapt to the changing needs of our community positioned us to increase services for our clients. We know that each day brings significant pressures on the operations and leadership of nonprofit organizations. Yet, we

also know that nonprofit leaders rise to those challenges every day with ingenuity, compassion, resilience, fortitude and integrity. COMING ON BOARD In 2020, Peoria Friendship House shut down due to COVID, like most businesses in our community. I had retired from a 14-year professional basketball career

to return home to my family and pursue further opportunities. Not knowing what path would be presented to me, I put my faith and trust in God to lead the way. In April 2020, Peoria Friendship House offered me a position as president and CEO. The future of the organization was uncertain. Families were struggling with food, childcare, youth programming, health services and more.

92 MAY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE