South Side Mission Receives 2009 Community Wealth Award

Peoria, IL (November 20, 2009) – “The South Side Mission helps make Peoria richer through it’s ministries to the poor and it has had a tremendous impact on our local quality of life.”   According to The Heartland Partnership, that is why The South Side Mission received the 2009 Community Wealth Award today at the 34th Annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon hosted by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce.

This award, sponsored by CEFCU, was established in 2005 to recognize a non-profit organization that works towards creating a brighter future in our community and makes it a better place to live.   Jim McConoughey, CEO and President of The Heartland Partnership, says the phrase community wealth is not in reference to financial status but rather wealth as human capital and quality of life. 

The South Side Mission will have served over 15,000 people this year.  While 2009 has been challenging for all of us, this organization went above and beyond.  South Side Ministries created several new ministry outreach programs throughout the region, increased distribution of food, clothing and other necessities to the needy of our community by 60%, and implemented new programs to help with career training and re-training.  

Join The Heartland Partnership in congratulating the South side Mission for its outstanding contributions to the Peoria community.