News for the Week

Backpack Peoria is Quickly Approaching!
Can you believe it is almost August? On August 1st, Dream Center Peoria is giving away 3,500 backpacks. In order to do this, we need your help. We are now accepting donations to go towards the cost of the backpacks. For $12 you can supply a child with a backpack loaded with school supplies. Donations may be dropped off in the office, or mailed in and mark it “backpacks”. Thank you for all of your support!

News for the week

A HOPE Store Update
Each year during the summer the number of customers who come to the HOPE Store increases drastically and this year is no exception! The two biggest requests that we get each week are fans and toiletries (deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.). If you have any of these items, our customers would greatly appreciate them. Donations are taken Monday through Thursday 9-4 or on Friday from 9-2.

A FAITH Warehouse Wish list
There are several people in the community without a bed to sleep on. We have mattresses but no frames. If you have a twin or full bed frame or even a twin or full bed set that you could part with, please contact us at 309-676-3000. Other needs include dressers, tables and chairs.

Get Hype
Mission Peoria is just around the corner! There is just under a month until 150 teenagers take the city by storm. If you haven’t signed up yet, talk to Corey ASAP and sign up today! Get ready to BREAK FREE!

A BIG Thank You!

We would like to thank all who came out to help last Saturday for the HOPE Store workday. There were about 60 volunteers and we got a ton done! We couldn’t have gotten everything done without you!
If you want to be a part next time, we will be having another workday sometime this fall. Keep checking the site for more information!

Summer Cookout

News for the Week

HOPE Store Workday
The HOPE Store needs your help! We are opening for a special workday on Saturday, June 13th from 9-1pm. We are going to be doing a major overhaul of the backroom and storage areas, so we need all hands on deck. If you have a small group that would like to help out, come on by! If you just want to come on your own, we could use your help too!
If you can’t come the whole time, but just for a little bit, that’s just fine too!
We hope to see you there!


So You Think You Can Dance, Part Duex
The second session of the Dream Center Dance Studio is starting Thursday, June 18th.
Cost is $35 for eight weeks of 45 min classes. All classes will be held on Thursday nights.
5:30-6 Age 3-6 Kids
6-6:45 Kids Ballet
6:45-7:30 Kids Hip Hop
7:30-8:15 Adult Hip Hop
8:15-9 Adult Ballet
If you are interested in joining us, please sign up at the Dream Center offices.

Taste Illinois

Come Taste Illinois, Saturday, June 6th at the Metro Centre from 10-3pm.
Join us for grilled pork chops and root beer floats provided by Pottstown Meat and Deli and A&W.
All proceeds will benefit Dream Center Programs!

News for the week

News for the Week

Do you have plastic grocery bags?
Recycle them in a new way! The HOPE Store is looking for clean plastic grocery bags to sack clothing in for clients. Not only will this help you get rid of the pile that continues to build, but it will also help us help others. If you have bags that you want to drop off, please bring them to the office on the second floor of the Dream Center.

I’m dreaming of Mission Peoria
If you are in youth and haven’t signed up for Mission Peoria, what are you waiting for? It’s a fun mission filled week here in Peoria. Not only will you get to show the love of Christ to kids and adults around your hometown, but you will get to do it in the company of friends! Talk to your youth leader about how to sign up today!

Get ready for a fun filled summer!
Keep on the lookout for more information about:
Taste Illinois
AOK: Summer Cookout
Mission Peoria
Backpack Peoria
Adopt-a-Block
Metro Kidz
Computer Classes
The Grand Opening of the Youth Facility

News for the week

It’s not too late to Volunteer!
The Dream Center is looking for volunteers in a few areas. If you are interested, please contact the ministry leader.

Adopt-A-Block Deb Fileta debra.k.fileta@gmail.com
AOK Events Angela Hawkins angela.hawkins@riversidepeoria.org
Computer/Mentoring Mike Davidson miked973@gmail.com
HOPE Store Christina Koeppel christina.koeppel@dreamcenterpeoria.org

HOPE Store Requests
The HOPE Store is in need of the following items:

• Young Men’s Clothing (clothing for teenage boys)
• Men’s Clothing
• Plus Size Women’s Clothing
• Shoes for all ages
• Socks and Underwear for all ages
• Sheets and Blankets for all sizes of beds
• Shampoo, Conditioner and Deodorant

Donation drop off times are Monday-Friday 9-4pm.

News for the week

It's Time for Metro Kidz!
The kickoff for Metro Kidz was last Saturday April 25th. We saw a large group of kids ready to have fun, get wet and praise Jesus! We started our time together with the Cha-Cha slide and water balloon baseball. The kids were hype and ready to go!

We are looking for a core group of people who love to get crazy and show the love of Jesus to kids. If you are interested in getting involved, either in the audience or up front, give us a call! Our office number is 309-676-3000 or email the Dream Center at dcpinfo@dreamcenterpeoria.org .

Sights from the weekend events!

Poverty Simulation

We had our first Poverty Simulation on Sunday night. There were about 35 participants who experienced what it was like to make it for one month on low-income. Check out the video and article from the Peoria Journal Star.

News for the week

We Need YOU!!
Dream Center has two great opportunities for you to get involved!
The first is Adopt-A-Block. We will be holding an informational/training meeting on Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00 PM. We will be going through the newly revised AAB manual, meeting successful team leaders, and gearing up for the new season of Adopt-A-Block starting on April 25th. Adopt-A-Block is a weekly program held on Saturday mornings in Taft Homes. Teams meet at the community center for prayer and instruction and then release to their blocks. Each team is given a few blocks to minister over. Teams build relationships with residents. For more information or to RSVP for the meeting, please call the Dream Center office at 676-3000.

The second huge way you can get involved with the community is through AOK: Acts of Kindness. Acts of Kindness is a bimonthly event held throughout the city and surrounding areas in several zones. Each zone is “adopted” by a church, which works in or wants to get involved in that area. Riverside Community Church has signed on board to help in the area-wide effort! RCC has chosen to continue to work in and around Taft Homes as an extension to volunteer efforts in Adopt-A-Block. The first event is Spring Clean ’09. It starts at 9:00am and ends around 11:00am. We will be meeting at Taft Homes Community Center to find out different tasks that need to be done and get supplies. To participate, just come on down. We will have most of the supplies but if you could bring rakes or shovels that would be great. For more information, please email Angela at angela.hawkins@riversidepeoria.com or call the Dream Center offices at
676-3000.

What is Food 4 All?
Food 4 All is our new grocery relief program. It is similar to Angel Food but it does have many differences. Cost is still the same at $30 for the regular unit but the quality is supposed to be much more delicious. We’re talking steaks from Omaha Steaks and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. The first order period is now over, with distribution on April 18th from 7-9am. If you would like to volunteer, stop by DCP at 6:45am that day. The new order form comes out that day. If you have any questions, call 676-3000 or email christina.koeppel@dreamcenterpeoria.org .

DCP News for the Week

Do you want to get involved in your community?
Dream Center has two great opportunities for you to get involved!
The first is Adopt-A-Block. We will be holding an informational/training meeting on Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00 PM. We will be going through the newly revised AAB manual, meeting successful team leaders, and gearing up for the new season of Adopt-A-Block starting on April 25th. Adopt-A-Block is a weekly program held on Saturday mornings in Taft Homes. Teams meet at the community center for prayer and instruction and then release to their blocks. Each team is given a few blocks to minister over. Teams build relationships with residents. For more information or to RSVP for the meeting, please call the Dream Center office at 676-3000.

The second huge way you can get involved with the community is through AOK: Acts of Kindness. Acts of Kindness is a bimonthly event held throughout the city and surrounding areas in several zones. Each zone is “adopted” by a church, which works in or wants to get involved in that area. Riverside Community Church has signed on board to help in the area-wide effort! RCC has chosen to continue to work in and around Taft Homes as an extension to volunteer efforts in Adopt-A-Block. The first event is Spring Clean ’09. It starts at 9:00am and ends around 11:00am. We will be meeting at Taft Homes Community Center to find out different tasks that need to be done and get supplies. To participate, just come on down. We will have most of the supplies but if you could bring rakes or shovels that would be great. For more information, please email Angela at angela.hawkins@riversidepeoria.com or call the Dream Center offices at
676-3000.

DCP News for the Week

Important Information for DC Dance Studio
The Dance Studio will be holding informational meetings about the program this week. The meeting for anyone, no matter what age, interested in Ballet will be this Monday, March 30th from 6:30-7:30pm. The meeting for anyone, ages 7 and up, interested in Hip Hop or Street Jazz will be this Thursday April 2nd from 6:30-7:30pm. Both meetings will be held in the track on the lower level of the Dream Center. Come and find out the answers to all your questions!
If you have any other questions, feel free to call the office at 676-3000.

Adopt-A-Block Training
Have you ever wondered how to get hooked into Adopt-A-Block? DCP will be holding an informational/training meeting on Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00pm. We will be going through the revised AAB manual, meeting successful team leaders, and gearing up for the new year. Mark April 21st on your calendar and begin praying for spiritual growth in Taft Homes this year!

Are you spring cleaning?
The HOPE Store will now be accepting donations of summer items. We especially need teen boys and men clothing. We are also in need of toiletry items and kitchen equipment (ie. pots and pans, crockpots, eating utensils) Drop off is Monday thru Thursday from 9-4 and on Fridays from 9-1. If you would like to help in the HOPE store please stop by the Dream Center during office hours to fill out a volunteer form and we will get you squared away!

AOK: Acts of Kindness
Check out AOK Event dates on the AOK Blog!

News for the week

AOK officially kicks off!
This past Wednesday, March 18th, several churches attended the opening orientation/informational meeting to find out more about AOK. Churches in attendance included Riverside, St. Thomas, First United Methodist, St. Anne’s, Northwoods, Creve Coeur Community Church, Pekin First Assembly and several others. Everyone was excited over the new year and new possibilities with AOK. The schedule for the year was announced and includes April 18th: Spring Clean, June 27th: Summer Cookout, August 1st: Backpack Peoria, October 17th: Fall Festival and December 12th: Operation Angel Food.

Keep a look out for how to get involved with Riverside’s AOK team!

Angel Food
The March Angel Food distribution will be March, 28th from 7-9am. If you would like to help, please come to DCP at 6:45am for staffing assignments. Hope to see you there!

A Message from Andy
Guys
Can I have you all go to:
http://www.explorepeoria.com ? Sign up for their newsletter.
They will email you the letter that tells you about things that are happening in the area every week. If you do, they will donate 50 cents back to DCP, which adds up fast, spread the word. Its a great way to stay connected to what happens in Peoria.
Andy

News for the week

Athletic Announcement!!!
Due to poor weather during the season, we are extending the winter athletic seasons of Basketball and Indoor Soccer for two weeks. The final week of Dream Center athletics will be the week of March 23rd. Make sure you mark it on your calendars!

Mentoring Opportunity
A new mentoring program is starting up through the Dream Center. We are looking for people who want to mentor kids in elementary school. The program will take place every other weekend for an hour or two, depending on your schedule. It will coincide with the computer classes for kids down in Taft Homes. The program will officially begin the first week of April with a meeting. For more information or to sign up for the meeting, please contact Kim Todd at 277-4801 or by email at k.todd1@comcast.net

So you think you can dance?
Or even if you can’t dance at all, come learn! Dream Center Peoria is spreading our wings and starting a Dance Studio. Classes will be held Monday and Thursday nights in the track. Many types of Dance will be offered to children and adults alike, including ballet, jazz, hip hop and street dance. Students 12 and under can enjoy 8 weeks of 30 minute classes for $30. Students over 12 will be able to enjoy 8 weeks of 60-minute classes for $40. Classes will take place one night a week starting March 30th.

Keep Fit!
Starting Tuesday March 3rd, the Dream Center Fitness Program will take place from 6-7pm in the track area. A trainer will be on site to help get you fit. Each class costs $2 to help with lighting and equipment, but don’t let that stop you. Come check it out!

News for the week

Have you ever wondered…
How to get hooked into Adopt-A-Block? DCP will be holding an informational/training meeting on Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00pm. We will be going through the AAB manual, meeting successful team leaders, and gearing up for the new year. Mark April 21st on your calendar and begin praying for spiritual growth in Taft Homes this year!

Have you ever wanted…
To learn how to dance? Dream Center Peoria is expanding our wings and offering dance classes. Classes will be held on Monday and Thursday nights starting the week of March 30th. Many types of Dance will be offered to children and adults alike, including ballet, jazz, hip hop and street dance. Experience isn’t necessary! Students 12 and under can enjoy 8 weeks of 30 minute classes for $30. Students over 12 will be able to enjoy 8 weeks of 60-minute classes for $40. For more information or to sign up, please call 309-676-3000 or email info@dreamcenterpeoria.org.

Have you ever been stuck…
In a situation and you didn’t know where to go or who to turn to? A new website is coming to the Peoria area, hspeoria.com .The website is a great resource to find doctors, medical facilities, and additional services offered in the community. Check it out!

Have you ever been curious…
What it is like to live in poverty? Starting soon, Dream Center Peoria will be offering chances to go through a poverty simulation. If you are interested in helping or going through the simulation, please contact Amy at 676-3000 x250 or email amy.herring@dreamcenterpeoria.org. More information will be coming soon! If you would like to see what the poverty simulation will look like, please go to youtube.com and type “poverty simulation” in the search box.

Have you ever thought about…
Volunteering in the Dream Center Offices? Volunteer receptionists are needed Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Please contact the office for more information.

News for the week

Mentoring Opportunity
A new mentoring program is starting up through the Dream Center. We are looking for people who want to mentor kids in elementary school. The program will take place every other weekend for an hour or two, depending on your schedule. It will coincide with the computer classes for kids down in Taft Homes. The program will officially begin the first week of April with a meeting. For more information or to sign up for the meeting, please contact Kim Todd at 277-4801 or by email at k.todd1@comcast.net

So you think you can dance?
Or even if you can’t dance at all, come learn! Dream Center Peoria is spreading our wings and starting a Dance Studio. Classes will be held Monday and Thursday nights in the track. Many types of Dance will be offered to children and adults alike, including ballet, jazz, hip hop and street dance. Students 12 and under can enjoy 8 weeks of 30 minute classes for $30. Students over 12 will be able to enjoy 8 weeks of 60-minute classes for $40. Classes will take place one night a week starting March 30th.

Keep Fit!
Starting Tuesday March 3rd, the Dream Center Fitness Program will take place from 6-7pm in the track area. A trainer will be on site to help get you fit. Each class costs $2 to help with lighting and equipment, but don’t let that stop you. Come check it out!

Construction Video!

Check the progress on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs69G5sf0Uw

Youth Facility Progress!

A breakoff classroom carpeted and ready for furniture.


New concrete to make the floor flat!

New walls being built.

DCP on twitter

Just this week Dream Center has signed up for a twitter account. We will be posting updates about the different ministries DCP has to offer, as well as posting cancellations and the inside scoop on various topics.
Check it out! Our name is dcpeoria.

PCS Key Club

In October 2008, Luke Knapp representing PCS Key Club submitted an application to Key Club International Youth Opportunities Fund to provide for the Education Life Center within Dream Center Peoria, Illinois – the goal to impact the Peoria Inner City School Children through supplying funds for furniture, providing hands-on labor for room completion, and eventually through peer tutoring at the Dream Center. The amount represents all that was requested. Over 80 applications were submitted and the Committee funded 38 grants for a total of $36,181.65 in interest income from the Youth Opportunities Fund – the most grants ever funded in one cycle and the highest grant dollars ever funded.

As part of this project, Key Club members participated in a Servathon during the school day at the Dream Center on October 30 and helped with needed projects around the Dream Center – part of the participation included a donation towards the Dream Center. PCS administration provided $300 towards the financial assistance of this program. Downtown Peoria Kiwanis provided $3000 toward the project.

PCS Key Club plans to dedicate the month of January to raise additional funds for the Dream Center’s Education Life Center. Each member is encouraged to donate $5 and each High School student is encouraged to donate $1. PCS Key Club will be volunteering at the Dream Center this month either after school or on a Saturday – time to be announced later.