April 2016 - Common Place

Mission Statement
Common Place encourages a life style of love and concern for others that recognizes the dignity and self-worth inherent in each person while striving to eliminate the causes of poverty and other social injustices.
Common Place is a social service agency on Peoria's South Side that helps people overcome poverty and injustice through education. At Common Place, educational programs start with our Youth Programs, grades K-12. Our Youth Programs offer academic assistance, life skills, and cultural enrichment to build self esteem and success in school. Common Place literacy programs help adults learn reading, writing, and math skills and acquire self-esteem and self-confidence needed to obtain employment.

Vision Statement
Working primarily on the South Side of Peoria

• encourages individuals and families to value education and offers educational opportunities;
• promotes training and the development of job skills needed for employment that enables individuals and families to be financially self-sufficient;
• promotes neighborhood leadership and redevelopment, including a safe environment and in- creased home ownership;
• provides awareness of the needs of others and opportunities for churches, individuals, organizations, and corporations to channel their love and concern through sharing of resources;
• encourages human understanding and inclusiveness of race, culture, age, gender, and economic situations;
• recognizes the needs of others and advocates for those in need.

Since 1967, Common Place Family Learning Center has worked on the center south side of Peoria, Illinois, to eliminate the root causes of poverty, racism, and injustice through education.

Adult Programs

• Began in 1979. First adult literacy program in Peoria.
• The average adult learner who enters Common Place's literacy program has completed 8th grade but has a 4th grade reading level.
• Over 4,000 adults have received help through one-on-one tutoring and small group classes for reading, writing, math and life skills.

Youth Programs

• Over 1,800 children have received after school homework help and en- richment programs for grades K - 12.
• Each year our Summer Work Study Programs serve 95 area low- income and educationally at-risk children ages 8 - 15 years. Summer Tutoring is provided for grades K - 12.
• Community Programs
• Emergency Food Pantry - nearly 1,000 individuals served yearly.