IU student's effort helps fund New Hope for Families' expansion project

Herald-Times - 8/8/2021

Aug. 8—The word "hope" surrounds Bloomington, as there are many programs to help families affected by homelessness. Among them is New Hope for Families, which recently got an $85,000 boost for its expansion through the efforts of an Indiana University student.

A little over half of the families served by New Hope are homeless, while the others have housing but are in need of help to avoid becoming homeless.

Development director Jim Olsen said the plan is to spread hope into new facilities being built at 1140 S. Morton St. New Hope had a groundbreaking ceremony at the new location April 12 and began a public fundraising campaign. Two new buildings are taking shape, one to provide emergency shelter for families and another for an early education center. The project is expected to cost $5.75 million.

"One of the IU students, Kelly Echard, helped us connect with the Early Learning Indiana to get a $85,000 grant for equipment and furnishings. The need for child care is beyond our small facility that holds 16 kids at a time," Olsen said. The new facility will be able to serve 48 children at once.

Echard is an Indiana University graduate student working toward her master's degree in public affairs. She explained her professor paired her group with the New Hope Nest as a nonprofit interest project.

"One of the classes I took was proposal increment development and in the class we were in a group and we were interested in homelessness," Echard said. "The professor contacted the Nest and asked if they were willing to help the class gain real world funding experience."

Echard found a first round of funding through the Come Back Stronger Fund. Although the website said a second round of funding was not allowed, she managed to request a bigger allocation to New Hope's Nest and was accepted.

"The first round of funds was in the low thousands and the website said you couldn't apply again. I asked about the capacity change and how many families needed help," Echard said. "There was a lot of requirements to get another round of funding. I sent out documents and it was taken to the CEO and got a second grant even because they loved New Hope's mission."

Some of the funding will be used for office supplies and furniture, a new play water table and other community play things. The grant's usage has a broad designation for outside and classroom equipment.

Executive director Emily Pike said New Hope's current facilities at 301 W. Second St. can only house seven families at a time, so the agency sometimes arranges motel housing when there are more families in need.

"When we move we can serve 12 families," she said. "Over 80% of families move out into stable housing. We consider stable housing to be a lease they can afford." That level of success has been achieved through providing clients with a variety of services and connecting them with the right people to get the kind of help the families need.

"We also help with financial literacy, parenting classes, homeless prevention and stable housing," Olsen said. New Hope's childhood education program also includes a food pantry, helping to make sure the children can eat three meals a day.

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