Neighborhood Programs meet people where they are at, literally.
At Interfaith Outreach when we talk about the power of community, we mean it in the broadest sense of the word. Everyone, everyone has a role in fostering family life and strengthening the fabric of our community. One core Interfaith program, funded in part by the Sleep Out, offers supportive services within local apartment neighborhoods. Thanks to on-site Neighborhood Program services, more than 862 families can access resources without the expense of hopping in a car or bus.
Housing with services is a cross-sector approach to keeping people in an apartment home they can afford.
Through the Interfaith Outreach Neighborhood Program, staff, volunteers and resident families work side by side to build relationships, make connections, create opportunities for conversation and learning, identify personal and community strengths and needs, and creatively foster leadership within the community. The families and staff engage in cross-sector systems – education, employment, police, local government, social services, property management, and mental health – to explore opportunities and address needs identified by residents.
And, as part of the Neighborhood Program, youth age 6-18 can enjoy social, recreational, learning and skill building activities in a safe and fun environment. Youth development programs engage teens in enriching skill building activities and in giving back through volunteer service.
Currently nine Neighborhood Programs operate in two cities in the Interfaith Outreach service area. Sleep Out funds are a key source of funding for Neighborhood Programs and their supportive services. Once our partner Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative develops a new housing community called Cranberry Ridge on Highway 55 near Old Rockford Road in Plymouth, 45 more high quality apartment homes will be available for rent. These include one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments for individuals and families. A playground, staff offices, and space for community gatherings is also planned. Onsite supportive services will be provided by Interfaith Outreach’s Neighborhood Program.