Much of the surrounding community has seen its share of neglect, abuse, and abandonment. The Neighborhood House continues to be a principal source of support, recreation and learning for this area. The Center operates 7 days a week year-round, except on certain holidays. In recent years, it served as many as 3000 people annually. Over 1/3 of our clients are children and teens.
The Neighborhood House’s programs and services cover 6 principal areas:
Programs fall into four categories:
- Offered by the Neighborhood House
- Provided by partner entities at the Neighborhood House
- Delivered by third-parties that rent space at the Neighborhood House
- Outside organizations refer clients to the Neighborhood House
The Neighborhood House programming uses a multi-program approach by:
- Engaging multiple generations to create stronger support systems.
- Aggregating proven programs, so the impact will be broader and deeper.
- Referring people to quality third-party programs, as needed, rather than simply devising our own.
- Developing and maintaining relationships with diverse partners to leverage resources to meet the needs of the West End residents.
- Attacking both symptoms and root causes of poverty using a polarity lens to ensure realistic, balanced, and sustained results.
- Using systems thinking to create a holistic approach to solving individual and community problems.
The West End looks to the Neighborhood House to provide more than entertainment and inspiration. It is a source of assistance.
Services not part of specific programs include:
- Supporting individuals with reading and understanding documents
- Helping them fill out paperwork and applications
- Faxing and copying vital forms
- Showing clients how to use a computer and establish an email address
- Making phone calls on their behalf
- Providing transportation to appointments
- Writing letters and making referrals to other organizations
