Friendship Force of Northern Illinois
Outgoing, cordial, and sociable, the Friendship Force of Northern Illinois is eager to welcome friends throughout the world into our homes. Started in 1984, our club was founded in Libertyville, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago. Today, however, our membership extends throughout the suburbs of Chicago, extending as far as Orland Park, Oak Park, Westmont, Plainfield, and Crystal Lake.
Our Northern Illinois club embraces the mission of Friendship Force to promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people. We do this by traveling to other countries such as Turkey, New Zealand, or Azerbaijan, or hosting clubs from Japan, Australia, or Germany. When traveling or visiting, we live in homes of host club members for a week, sharing meals, common activities, and a program designed by the host club to reveal who they are and how they live.
However, no matter what sites one might see with a host club, the key element of Friendship Force is the moments at breakfast or tea, over drinks or dinner when hosts and guests chat informally about what matters most to them. these are the times when barriers are crossed and lifelong friendships are made.
Members of Friendship Force of Northern Illinois are eager to share our beautiful region, including prairies, woods and wetlands, Lake Michigan, and metropolitan Chicago. We show our guests how the suburbs grew around Chicago. The financial, industrial, and cultural opportunities the city provided combined with a beautiful and varied landscape to create a great metropolitan area. As a result of many waves of immigration, the Chicago region boasts a unique blend of Irish, German, Polish, African American, Hispanic, and numerous Asian cultures.
The hard work and unique vision of these immigrants continue to make our area a bustling multi-cultural society. A home stay in the heartland of America offers an experience of everything from unique ethnic foods to astonishing modern architecture to the warmth of midwestern hospitality. We look forward to hosting you soon!
