Peoria-Area Community Impact Guide 2022-2023

EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER Fostering community engagement and neighborhood stabilization by providing a vibrant place to gather. VISION

512 E. Kansas Street Peoria, IL 61603 Phone: (309) 839-0781 Email:

ebcc@eastbluffcommunitycenter.org Website : eastbluffcommunitycenter.org

KEY STAFF: Kari Jones, Executive Director

To be everyone’s first choice gathering place for recreation, celebration, the arts, life-long learning and community services VALUES Community, Collaboration, Respect, Integrity. WHAT WE DO We strive to provide a welcoming, clean, and safe place where individuals, groups and organizations can host and participate in programs, events and human services. We prioritize community engagement so that residents take an active role in strengthening their own community.  Addressing Hunger - The East Bluff Food Pantry is open at the EBCC on the first four Saturdays of every month, benefitting over 5,500 people each year. A community garden at the EBCC is also open for resident use, so that they can grow their own healthy food. The EBCC kitchen is used for commissary and community cooking classes.  Partnering to Bring in Services - The EBCC provides recreational, programming and office space to multiple organizations, so they can bring their services directly to the East Bluff. These include Boys & Girls Club after-school programming, PCCEO energy assistance, Peoria Opportunities Foundation affordable housing development, Peoria Art Guild classes and camps, Knock Out Kings boxing club and much more. We are so thankful to our many partners, who make their resources more accessible to East Bluff families by utilizing our space.  Community Engagement Programming - At the heart of the EBCC’s work is the goal to connect neighborhood residents to one another and to the services and resources available to them. To facilitate this, we distribute amonthly community newsletter, convene a community engagement committee to ensure our efforts reflect the needs and wants of our community members, and host large-scale events to bring neighbors together and instill life skills.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Ross Black Wayne Cannon Tim Cunningham Yessenia Diaz Evonne Fleming Jane Genzel Michelle Sanders

Jim Scroggins Brian Seckler Brooke Sommerville Shannon Techie Talena Wade Erin Winstead

HOW TO HELP Be an advocate for the EBCC and the East Bluff community! Strong neighborhoods are the lifeblood for a thriving city and region, and your voice makes an impact. Become a Friend of the EBCC! Making a financial commitment, no matter the size, helps us enhance our work for East Bluff families. Visit our website for more information about donating or getting involved. Make a connection! Do you know an organization or individual who may be interested in providing a service for youth or families at the EBCC?Wewould love to explore more partnerships for the good of the community.

 Affordable Event Rentals - The EBCC provides a warm and welcoming place for community members to celebrate birthdays, baby showers and other important life events without stressing about the cost.

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