The Queensborough area of Shreveport has seen its fair share of rough times but residents hope with the addition of another Friendship House, those rough times will be fewer and farther between.

"We use the Friendship House as a platform to develop relationships within the community," explains Queensborough Community Coordinator James Melvin, who lives in and runs a nearby Friendship House.

He says along with these homes, comes a sense of pride that has often deteriorated over the years.

"Part of the problem in a lot of the areas that we're in is that there's just a lot of disconnect. People really don't know each other."

Melvin says residents often don't have access to resources, like G.E.D. classes, that are available to them, so the Friendship House brings those services -- literally -- to their front doors.

"By seeing people take advantage of those things, I've seen people grow and situations change," Melvin says.

But it takes more than a shiny new building to make a difference. SPD Patrol Commander Captain Steven Pierce says citizens have to reclaim their neighborhoods from the inside out.

"The community just had enough. They got together and they said they had enough and we meet regularly to discuss issues."

Capt. Pierce says he's seen reduced crime as a result of the Friendship House, and Melvin says, to access services, all you have to do is knock on the door.

"Simply come, that's why we're in the community. Just come."

This newest home is located at 2829 Frederick Street.

A C.N.G. (compressed natural gas) van was also donated to the home by Encana, which will be used to take children on outings and to community events.

The Friendship Houses are part of the Community Renewal International program.

Community Renewal also has two Friendship Houses in each of the Allendale, Cedar Grove, Highland and Barksdale Annex neighborhoods.

The houses offer after-shool educational programs, G.E.D. courses, tutoring, computer training, art and music lessons and family nights, among other services.

This is the tenth Friendship House for the Shreveport-Bossier City area.

To find out more about Community Renewal International, click here.