Since the early 1920s, we’ve been all about helping inner-city kids. We feed ’em, love ’em, and tell ’em about Jesus. In fact, our founder, Miss Helen Haien, started South Side Mission as a Sunday School for poor kids. Helen would go to the poorest part of town and bring poor kids back to her house on Sanger Street all day Sunday. Eventually, her Sunday School would serve so many that she had to move out of the house on Sanger and move into an old brewery on Olive Street!
Today, Helen’s dream is alive and well. These days, our programs for inner-city youth encompass many ministries. Nowadays, more than 200 kids will come to the Mission for after-school programs that include:
After-School Tutoring
Each weekday, around 70 schoolkids, all in academic jeopardy, come to the Mission for our after-school tutoring program. They receive quality tutoring from volunteers and staff in all academic subjects. Participants also enjoy a computer lab for their convenience. Best of all, last year 14 of the 70 kids enrolled made the honor roll by the end of the year!
Girls Club
Three tremendous clubs help girls ages 6 through 18. Young ladies learn how to be the best young woman of God they can be. Girls enjoy outings, crafts, games, Bible studies, etiquette lessons, and a whole lot of fun!
Boys Club
Three Boys Clubs at South Side Mission help boys ages 6 through 18 learn to be strong young men of God. Boys enjoy sports programs, outings, games, Bible studies and a whole lot of fun!
The College Club
Each year, we help bright high schoolers, from poor backgrounds on the South Side, to achieve their dream of going to college. Club members receive coaching in applying for scholarships and grants, help in finding employment opportunities, and even limited matching of savings.
A brand new twist in the College Club is encouraging our kids’ entrepreneurial spirit. Our members have begun an enterprise where they construct beautiful birdhouses, then sell them to the great folks in our community who want to see them succeed. This dynamic partnership is more about building futures than birdhouses, but it gets both done! Interested? Call 676-4604 or e-mail info@southsidemission.org
Day Camp
Each summer, Monday through Friday, South Side Mission operates a Day Camp for school-age children. Participants enjoy swimming, crafts, outings, lunch, Bible studies, and a whole lot of fun. Rates for Day Camp vary by economic need, but are inexpensive.
To enroll in any after-school program or Day Camp please call the South Side Mission Youth Department at 676-4604.
Do you have a gift or talent to share? None of our programs would be possible with out awesome volunteers. Click here to learn how to get involved in our Youth Department. You can make a difference in the life of a child. Today!
Contact Information:
Southside Mission
1127 South Laramie Street
Peoria, IL 61605
email: philn@southsidemission.org
p: 309.676.4604
f: 309.676.6834
