About | Friendship House Illinois

About Ottawa Friendship House

Guided by decades of advocacy, community support, and compassionate leadership, our mission is to improve the quality of life for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities while creating opportunities for growth, independence, and connection.

Our History

The history of Friendship House has been rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every person deserves dignity, purpose, and the chance to live a meaningful life, thanks to founder, Jane McCormick.

Let's Travel Back to the 1950's.

In the early 1950s, Jane McCormick—a devoted mother and determined advocate—recognized the urgent need for meaningful, structured support for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Alongside Pat and Theresa Greathouse and a dedicated group of like-minded parents, she helped bring that vision to life with the founding of Echo School in 1953, originally known as Every Child Hope and Opportunity.

At a time when institutional care was often the only option, Echo School stood as a compassionate and forward-thinking alternative. Its success was made possible through strong community commitment and the unwavering generosity of United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 4 members, whose support laid a proud foundation for a legacy of inclusion, dignity, and opportunity.

Bob, Jane McCormick’s son, and one of the first students whose journey inspired the creation of Ottawa Friendship House.

Bob, Jane McCormick’s son, and one of the first students whose journey inspired the creation of Ottawa Friendship House.

In 1966...

the children who had once filled Echo School’s classrooms had grown into adults—individuals deserving of lives rich with purpose, belonging, and opportunity. In response, Echo School evolved into Ottawa Friendship House, expanding its mission to focus on inclusion, social connection, and meaningful engagement for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This pivotal transition reflected the steadfast advocacy and shared commitment of UAW Region 4 and families such as the Greathouses, whose dedication ensured that support did not end with childhood, but continued across a lifetime.

By the Late 1970's...

and into the early 1980s, Ottawa Friendship House took another meaningful step forward by relocating to its current home just south of Ottawa and building its first residential homes designed for semi-independent living. Among the earliest residents was Bob, one of Echo School’s very first students, whose journey also included participation in Friendship House’s sheltered employment program.

As needs evolved, so did Friendship House. Over the years, services expanded to include Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs), Intermittent Community Integrated Living Arrangements (ICILAs), supportive day programming, and a robust Community Employment initiative. Most notably, the sheltered employment program grew into a professional work center—ensuring adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities earn a living wage and experience the dignity of meaningful employment.

These milestones reflect the shared dedication of families, UAW Region 4, and the wider community, all working together to advance the mission of Friendship House and support individuals in reaching their fullest potential.

The Friendship House Today

Today, Ottawa Friendship House proudly stands as a testament to the power of collective action and shared purpose, serving more than 100 individuals from Ottawa and surrounding communities. Built on the vision of Jane McCormick, strengthened by the unwavering support of UAW Region 4, and shaped by decades of growth since its beginnings as Echo School, Friendship House reflects the lasting impact of advocacy, compassion, and community partnership. This enduring legacy continues to uphold the rights, dignity, and potential of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Ottawa, Illinois, and the region it serves.

Contribute to The Dream

Our dream is simple: to create a true place of belonging for adults with disabilities. Today, that dream lives on as Ottawa Friendship House—made possible by the love, generosity, and steady support of our incredible community.