The PourHouse
The PourHouse, Inc. provides direct services to Indianapolis’ homeless population. We also partner with other local organizations that provide services not offered by The PourHouse. We embrace a hands-on, community based philosophy and are an emerging model of social service intervention.
We find that building long-term relationships with individuals is an effective model that enables us to determine true needs, prioritize and address them accordingly. We distribute clothing, food, blankets, hygiene products, and related goods on a daily basis. We also carve out intentional time with individuals and smaller groups. By spending larger amounts of time with smaller amounts of people, our relationships with the homeless are very strong and have resulted in a sense of community. This sense of community creates a greater bond of trust, an environment for openness and honesty, and a framework for long-term success.
The PourHouse currently offers: Employment assistance, technical training, educational assistance, healthcare representation, legal advocacy and ID services, gatherings to provide food and necessities, street outreach and one-on-one assistance with daily matters and challenges.
Our designation by the U.S. Department of Labor as the Indiana Federal Bonding Coordinator enables us to provide increased chances for employment among ex-offenders. We were also chosen by the Social Security Administration for their S.O.A.R. pilot program, which assists qualified homeless individuals with obtaining disability benefits.
The Vision
Our vision is to create a PourHouse Community Center for homeless men that moves away from the “services and shelters” mentality. We desire to have a place where the homeless friends we serve can begin to look again at the “whole man” and move beyond daily survival to recognizing their dreams, talents and desires.
The PourHouse Community Center will be located in Marion County, within walking distance of downtown Indianapolis. The facility and grounds will be a closed-campus environment with an entrance staffed at all times. This will ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for both our guests, and the community around us. The Project is being developed by Hubbard Development Co., LLC, an Indianapolis based company.
In addition to continuing our present services, we will provide a variety of cultural and human needs services including, but not limited to; Art and music exploration, addictions and personal counseling, personality and job aptitude testing, a coffee house with library, life coaches, overseas service opportunities, personal assistance for unique needs, growth and care of plants in a greenhouse environment, financial and investment training.
We are exploring supportive housing opportunities through partnerships with affordable housing developers. Those residing in the supportive housing will be required to work. In addition, they will learn basic budgeting, will be required to build a savings account and will be given the opportunity to explore how to invest their money. Counseling sessions for addiction and emotional issues will be required of some residents, as well as AA and NA meetings.
Lastly, we will provide employment opportunities for men of all skill levels through our onsite Business Center. Developing a healthy sustainable lifestyle requires opportunity, training, and experience. Our vision is to provide at least three levels of support to men who desire to reenter the workforce.
Level One is a small business that offers opportunities to acquire hands-on skills and develop a good work ethic. Level Two is the development of relational skills, learning to follow directions, and showing initiative in the workplace. The Coffee House, in partnership with a for-profit business, will be a key component in this level of development. In addition to training opportunities, the Coffee House will provide an environment conducive to reading, studying and gathering in small groups. Level Three is the Business Incubator that will support and resource the entrepreneurial process by fostering new business ideas and assisting in bringing those ideas to fruition. The Incubator will be open to qualified applicants that have shown initiative, desire and development through the earlier levels.
The Return
Through the PourHouse Community Center, there will be many rewarding opportunities for artists, musicians, life coaches and other volunteers to personally be involved in planting new seeds of hope and vision. When those seeds flourish, it will overflow and multiply into the lives of others. We envision not only a place of healing and opportunity, but also a place for new leaders to be born.
Your investment extends an invitation for change to the homeless men of our community. They will have a chance to revisit long-forgotten hopes and dreams, with the opportunity to make them a reality. Through the support structure of friendship, relationship and community, the potential that lies inside each of these men can come to fruition.
The Need
We are in the process of purchasing the land for the PourHouse Community Center. We are asking corporations and individuals to consider how they can invest financially in this vision. Please note that all donations are tax deductible and we have the ability to receive gifts of stocks and bonds.
Our Goal: $500,000
Deadline: January 18, 2008
Please share this information with others who have the same heart for Indianapolis and the desire to see this community change, grow and prosper. We would welcome the opportunity to sit down with you to share more details about the phases of our plan, or to answer any questions you might have.
We invite you to join us today in effecting change in our city…one life at a time.
