Friendship Community Centre

Friendship - n. 1. the act of one person knowing , liking and trusting another. -syn 1. familiarity, intimacy, acquaintanceship, companionship, camaraderie, fellowship, company, harmony, concord, peace, partiality.

Friendship Community Centre is the hub of resident fellowship for everyone who lives in HighPoint Community. Centrally located within a 5 minute walk to any HighPoint apartment or home, the 27,000 square foot community centre serves as the home to many of the services and programs provided to HighPoint residents.

HighPoint's Community Centre is mirrored in the lake from its location high on the bluff. It is positioned between the lake and Friendship Square and is the focus for all community activities at HighPoint. A dramatic 2 story monumental entry colonnade fronting on Friendship Park invites people in to get to know each other. Centered directly in front of the colonnade is a decorative spray fountain marking the main entrance to both the building and the park. Directly opposite the fountain and across the park stands the park bandshell with steeple and illuminated clock that glows in the night sky.

Friendship Community Centre is a multi-use structure comprised of a number of diverse forms and functions...each reconciled to function as one harmonious environment. Much like a diverse community of people reconciled to each other for the good of the whole.

The building serves as a learning center for adult education and nursery care; a gymnasium and recreational center for adult and youth athletic programs; a health club featuring weight lifting, aerobic, swimming pool and spa facilities; an auditorium with stage production facilities for large group banquets, meetings, church worship, and youth dances; a cafeteria with cyber-cafe; post office with resident mail delivery; socialization areas featuring T.V. lounge, fireplace, outdoor juice bar, poolside terraces and picnicking; lakeside marina and fishing pier; sand volleyball courts and meandering jogging trails.

Friendship Centre is the common place where HighPoint residents experience belonging with their neighbors and membership to their community. A place where each resident is encouraged to enjoy the fellowship of his neighbors; a place where each resident can contribute his/her unique gifts and talents to the community.

The Institute for Community, (IFC) a non-profit organization committed to "helping people build quality relationships where they live and work", will manage the community programs within HighPoint Community. The IFC believes that one of the facets of genuine community is the process of growing from annonymity to interdependence with others. HighPoint will provide you with the opportunities to participate in that process. Here's a sampling of the programs envisioned:

Education

• Volunteers start a book for tots program that administers children books that foster community values as an early learning resource. (IFC sponsored children books that teach children basic community values)
• Resident volunteers operate an early learning center for children of working parents in the community centre.
• Interested HighPoint residents form and guide a children/teen mentoring group to learn and prepare for adult skills. Programs in leadership training, starting and operating a small business, serving the community, trade skills such as building construction of projects to contribute to the community, etc. are envisioned, much like a 4-H community club. ( The goal is to experience the connection between school and real life while participating in academic activities tied to community improvement).
• HighPoint Boy Scout troop, Girl Scout troop, Indian Guides, Indian Princesses.
• Teen investment club led by adult mentors.
• Computer clubs for adults and adolescents capitalizing on the resources of the community centre cyber-cafe.
• Administer a work study program for HighPoint community teens that networks with local businesses throughout the wider business community. (alliance with the local Chambers of Commerce, Hospitals, Banks, etc.).
• IFC sponsored classes and workshops designed and tailored to specific age groups fostering the foundation for specific community building skills.
• Community sponsored career fairs.
• School homework hotlines

Neighborhood

• Volunteers operate a community offering center that exchanges donated food, clothes toys, etc. for community services and projects performed by its residents.
• Volunteers operate a food co-operative purchasing and distributing food throughout the HighPoint Community at bulk discounts.
• HighPoint Market Days.
• Summer time flower and garden market on Saturdays in the Community Square.
• Winter Holiday festivities light display in the Community Square.
• Volunteers operate and maintain a winter ice-skating pond and warming concession in the Community Square.
• Volunteers provide seniors with transportation to and from essential and recreational/social services.
• IFC administers and acts as a central resource for "home care" provided by licensed home care providers.

Environmental

• HighPoint arbor day each year that provides seedlings for the children to plant in designated areas throughout the HighPoint Community to encourage environmental awareness while beautifying the community.
• HighPoint garden club that maintains and beautifies the common areas by neighborhood volunteers.
• Neighborhood recycling club promoting and administering recycling awareness throughout the HighPoint Community.
• Ecology awareness day (stocking the lake with fish, nature walks with local arborists, etc.)
• Cultural Arts
• Visual Arts club, community art fair.
• HighPoint theater group that sponsors and performs plays for the Community residents.
• Cyber Arts club designing and maintaining the HighPoint web pages.
• 4th of July fireworks display

Professional Outreach

• Youth counseling center (at-risk youth connections, vandal control, etc.).
• Marriage counseling center
• Community based HPO offered to all residents in affiliation with local hospital group.
• Free service, low interest HighPoint credit card ( Master Card ) administered by local bank with % proceeds donated to IFC for community benefit programs.
• Bank sponsored financial workshops, investment planning, homebuying, estate planning, debt consolidation, etc.
• HighPoint Medicare days for vaccinations, check-ups, etc. sponsored by hospital affiliate.
• Program integration with Romeoville Park District.
• "Neighbor-net" shopping connection with all local merchants.

Care for the Needy

• Homesite donations (one from each neighborhood) to 'Habitat for Humanity'. Volunteers administer workgroups to build each home.
• Homeless shelter affiliate.
• Meals on wheels for residents.
• Charity carnival each year with % contributed to needy organizations or groups.