The Community Connection: The Institute for Community Friendship Centre | Creative Arts Centre

2025 Community Connection: Building Stronger Roots Together

Dear Friends and Partners,This season has been one of growth, hard work, and joy for the Institute for Community. After much planning and collaboration, The Underground — our new arts and youth leadership center — is complete!We envisioned this space as a place where kids, teens, and artists could explore their gifts, build relationships, and grow strong roots in the community. We truly believe God has opened the door for this space, and we’re grateful to see it already coming alive.

Over the past few months, we’ve welcomed several incredible partners into The Underground and Creative Arts Centre:

  • The School for the Arts, led by Ally Larsen and a group of artists, now offers music and art lessons that encourage creativity and confidence.
  • Perricone Center for Counseling and Healing Arts, founded by Katie Perricone, provides a wide range of services— including expressive arts, play therapy, counseling for all ages, couples, and families, and even financial counseling.
  • Studio 20 has rebranded as Pulse Dance Academy, offering beginner through advanced classes in ballet, jazz, lyrical, poms, and hip hop—plus the exciting launch of The Homeez,
    a new street dance team.
  • Church of Faith, led by Pastor David and First Lady Valerie Seroy, meets with us on the first and third Sundays, offering an uplifting time of worship and encouragement.

 

We believe that real change happens when people come together with a shared purpose. The work we do would not be possible without God’s guidance and the generosity, partnership, and encouragement we receive from friends like you.

Thank you for walking alongside us as we continue building not only spaces, but strong connections that make our community a better place for all.

With gratitude,

Michael R. Vickery, Executive Director
Scott Knollenberg, Operations Director
Abby Hough, Administrator
Cathy Gore, Children’s Director

Contact

Institute for Community
175 S. HighPoint Drive, Romeoville, IL, 60446

Phone: (815) 588-6130
Email: [email protected]

General Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Sat 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sunday: Churches, Fitness Center, and Pool (in Summer)

Download the PDF: 2025 Community Connection

The Wheel of Life

  • Family
  • Health and Wellness
  • Spiritual
  • Education and Career
  • Recreation

 

For 28 years, our 501(c) (3) nonprofit has empowered community leaders to create programs that help you live a more balanced, fulfilling life.

The Creative Arts Centre

Program Partners

Perricone Counseling
  • Center for Counseling and Healing Arts
  • Katie Perricone
  • (779) 875-9190
  • www.perriconecounseling.com
Tripoint Smash
  • Dan Sanchez
  • Follow us on Facebook: UGS Gaming
  • Every Friday Night 6pm for Super smash Bros, Melee, Ultimate, Project+, Street fighter 6, and more!
School for the Arts
  • Music and Art lessons
  • Director: Ally Larsen
  • https://www.schoolfortheartsathighpoint.com
Church of Faith
  • Join Pastor David & First Lady Valerie Seroy
  • Gather with us every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 1:30–2:45 p.m
Pulse Dance Academy
  • Stacie Burke
  • (815) 919-4158
West Suburban Community Pantry
  • Lead by Joe Johnson
  • Place your food and groceries order on-line: wscpantry.org
  • Food delivery to HighPoint the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of every month
Trinity Faith Church
  • Pastor Antonio Banks
  • Trinityfaithchurchtfc.org
  • Facebook: Trinity Faith Church
  • Sunday Worship Service at 3:30pm
  • Bible Study on Tuesday Evenings at 7pm
The Church at HighPoint
  • Pastor Scott Knollenberg
  • Follow on Facebook: The Church at HighPoint
  • Sunday Worship Service at 10:00am
  • Kids: Ages Birth – 4th grade
  • Middle School: 5th – 8th grade
The Youth Network
  • Developing Next Generation Leaders
  • Trarina Paige
  • (312) 809-8818
United Way of Will County
  • Helps connects people, resources, and organizations to improve lives and strengthen our community through education, health, and financial stability
  • https://uwwill.org/
Trarina Paige Theater
  • Creative Arts Center
  • twpcreativeartscenter.com
  • (312) 09-8818
Creative Arts Centre Rentals
  • CAC Rental Manager Cecealia Gutierrez
  • For pricing and availability contact Cecealia!
  • (815) 651-7003

The Friendship Centre

Program Partners

Little Explorers Montessori School
  • Where the heart, mind, and spirit grow together
  • Sherri Kunze
  • (815) 886-4898
  • [email protected]
  • www.Little-Explorers.com
  • K-Elementary
F.I.R.E. Romeoville Basketball & Leadership Academy
  • Fire and Ice Leadership Academy
  • Joe Johnson
  • (630) 730-4613
Beyond Montessori Academy
  • Preschool – Kindergarden
  • Ezlynn Rodriguez
  • (815) 919-4158
Intimidad Con Dios
  • Pastor Joel
  • Spanish-speaking Sunday Service at 10:00am at the Friendship Centre
Community Life Architects
  • Tom and Alicia Wdovech
  • [email protected]
  • We connect residents to their neighbors and neighborhoods. Join us at one of our monthly events!
The Corned Beef Hideout
  • India Jenkins
  • (815) 743-2603
  • Monday – Saturday: Noon-7:00pm; Sunday: Closed
HighPoint Apartments
  • Apartment Manager Kristina Puente
  • Resident Fitness Center (Sunday-Saturday: 5:00am-9pm)
  • Resident Outdoor Pool (Memorial Day—Labor Day)
  • Keyfob Access Required
Gym & Patio Rentals
  • Friendship Centre Rental Manager Joe Johnson
  • Contact Joe for pricing!
  • (630) 730-4613
Titan Club: Before/After School Program
  • Before/After school care for Beverly Skoff Elementary students
  • Operates only on full school days (Valley View Schools)
  • Before school: 6:45–9:00 a.m.
  • After school: 3:00–6:00 p.m.
  • Held at the school
  • Activities include homework time, gym, video/board games, and outdoor play
Camp Friendship Summer Camp Program
  • Full-day summer camp for ages 5–12
  • Hours: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • Before/After care available for additional cost
  • Cold lunch + 1 snack provided by Northern Illinois Food Bank
  • Pre-registration required
  • No drop-offs allowed
Friendship Centre Highpoint
  • Director Cathy Gore
  • (815) 588-6142

 

Corporate Sponsorhips

A special thank you to our corporate sponsors. Because of their generosity, many of our programs are able to reach their full potential and continue fulfilling our mission. The Institute for Community thrives because of their partnership and belief in what we do.

  • Marquette Companies
  • HD Supply
  • Conservice
  • Weis Builders
  • Moen
  • Xfinity Communities
  • Busey Bank
  • Layland, Steinhilber & Associates
  • CAMP Facility Services
  • Yardi
  • Wintrust
  • Berkadia
  • JLL Capital Markets
  • Sherwin Williams
  • Power Construction
  • Associated Bank
  • Mesirow
  • Marsh USA
  • IOC Construction
  • Khaler Slater
  • United Carpet
  • CBRE
  • MRS Carpet Cleaning
  • Breck and Nancy Hanson
  • Servpro
  • Morgan Harbour Construction
  • Cullen Construction Management
  • Daniel and Donna Casey
  • Jim Cunningham & Family
  • Richard Price
  • Sunset Exteriors & Associates
  • CRG Residential
  • Greenway Waste & Recycling
  • Doci Companies
  • Haven and Oak
  • Marble and Granite
  • Hanson Landscape
  • Shaw
  • LEM Capital
  • Thomas and Stacy Wells
  • Windward Roofing & Construction
  • Ryan Hill Group
  • DRA Advisors
  • Proven IT
  • Valet Living
  • SGW Architecture & Design
  • Nextsulting
  • Chicago Oakbrook Financial
  • Chadwell Supply
  • Custom Appliance
  • Gorman’s Design Group Inc.
  • Phil Ruggio-Westpoint Financial

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