A house is more than an address or a place to store your favorite possessions. For many of us, a home represents safety, security and a shot at upward economic mobility.
But as housing costs consume a bigger chunk of paychecks in Delaware and across the country, the goal of homeownership has become more elusive.
That reality makes the work undertaken by the nonprofit organization NeighborGood Partners even more valuable as it broadens access to affordable housing in Delaware and bolsters neighborhood revitalization and community development efforts in ways that go far beyond its well-known consumer counseling programs, which include homeownership, foreclosure prevention and financial education.
In addition to helping over 10,300 families buy a house in Delaware, NeighborGood Partners assists other nonprofit organizations like Ministry of Caring and Latin American Community Center with their housing and facility plans by providing development expertise and access to funding through NeighborGood Partners Loan Fund as well as to federal and state programs.
Also among the NeighborGood umbrella is a resident-driven revitalization initiative called Restoring Central Dover, a business launcher program to help new entrepreneurs, and a neighborhood ice cream shop called The Scoop on Loockerman that employs Dover youth to help build business acumen and workforce development.
“We are a gem in the Diamond State and we’re here to serve the residents and communities of the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Karen Speakman, executive director of NeighborGood Partners, formerly known as NCALL.
One way NeighborGood hopes to boost its profile is with its inaugural fundraising event on May 2 at the Rail Haus in Dover. Raise the Roof is a community event that includes food, music from Best Kept Soul and a celebration of the vital work that is done to create affordable housing options in Delaware. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here.
“Having a conversation with one of our counselors or coaches gives households a better idea of what they can do if they take the right steps, like rectifying a few things on their credit report. We help them make a plan and guide them in the right direction as they take those steps. But they do the work,” said Speakman. “I like to think of us as Good Neighbors and Good Partners.”
