Friendship House strengthens the community by providing programs and access to services designed to empower youth and families.

Description:
We are a community center and state-licensed child care facility located in the South Side Triangle. Our comprehensive Youth Development Program serves youth ages 4 - 12 and operates year-round. Currently, 100% of our children are from low-income families and 65% are minorities. Our program focuses on improving emotional health and social skills, enhancing character development, improving academic performance, and fostering social responsibilities. We provide a physically and emotionally safe environment where all children can establish ongoing relationships with caring adults; participate in structured, developmentally appropriate and fun social, educational, recreational and cultural activities during non-school hours; learn marketable skills through effective education and character development; and have opportunities to give back to their community in order to foster the growth of social responsibility. We provide our families with affordable, reliable, quality childcare; a support system that helps teach, mentor, and protect their children; help reinforcing the developmental skills and mind set to move out of and beyond poverty; and support and encouragement for teaching their children morals and values.

History:
Friendship House, founded in 1958, began as a ministry for the Crow Indian and other minority populations in Billings. We offered access to basic care needs (food, clothing, showers, and laundry facilities); educational, recreational, and spiritual activities for all ages; opportunities for community building; and referrals to other community resources. We have been in our current location for 37 years.

Contact people:

Debby Lane, Office Manager, (phone), (email) Julie Durrett, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 406-259-9117

Address:

3123 8th Avenue South Billings, MT 59101 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: MET / 10D Southside, 2 min minute walk