Address

6801 Clarita St
Centerville, IL 62207

Overview of Organization

The FRC currently provides a space for afterschool activities, homework help, and tutoring for about 40 children a day. It is generally open only during the week. Ms. Williams would like to see the facility live up to its name as a resource center for the whole family; she sees Internet access on the new computers as an essential component of realising this goal. Ms. Williams secured the funding to renovate the building herself, and serves on the board of the Centerville Library.

Quick Facts

• Volunteers must apply
• Volunteers are sometimes past-participants
• For the whole family with resources
• Children have to be enrolled with the FRC
• Forty-five children
• Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Children after 6th grade do not come as often
• Snack is at 5pm so many children come at this time
• Monday to Friday
• Internet- dial-up

History of Organization

Old Building:
*In the old building 100 children used to come after-school and Thelma was all alone
*In the 70′s and 80′s many volunteers

New Building:
*In 1991 Thelma wrote a grant
*Received money from the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) for construction
*Built in: 1995
*The resident council did a survey to find out what was needed in the new building.
*Few volunteers

Thelma:
*Took classes and taught herself computers
*Partnered with Ernest M. to help with administration of center
*Started other community centers throughout the region (4-5 sites), administrates other sites
*Visits schools with parent’s permission to see where children need help
*Five years on the Resident Council
*On the Board for the Centerville Library
*Many people did not know that there was a library available or what is offered in a library.

Summary of Organization’s Vision, Mission, and Goals

“Every kid wants to get on a computer.” “Everybody of all ages can use the computers.” “No work ethic or responsibility at home…I teach it to them at the center.” Thelma Williams

Reasons for computer lab

• After-school homework help/tutor
• GED help
• Computer training for community- especially the elderly, but learning takes a long time for them (keyboard, mouse, internet, 1 disk per person)
• Resume typing
• Training volunteers
• Job searches

Center uses

• After-school program
• FAMILY resource center
• Community functions
• Family functions
• Meetings for new residents
• Wants to expand for other support groups
• Wants more programs for mental health