At risk of closing last fall because of a lack of funding, the House of Neighborly Service has found renewed life through the financial and operational support of Our Family Services.
Today, the House of Neighborly Service serves more than 1,000 low-income children, young adults and seniors throughout South Tucson with a variety of programs designed to enhance their education, life skills, local culture and quality of life.
The House of Neighborly Service (HNS), 243 W 33 St., has a long legacy of serving the South Tucson area.
Founded in 1948, the organization operated successfully through donations until 2008 when a $50,000 budget shortfall forced it to close in September.
The organization reopened early this year after Our Family Services moved quickly to handle its operations and keep their programs running.
“Our family shares a like vision with The House of Neighborly Service, striving to make South Tucson a better place to grow up and grow old,” said Arlene Lopez, HNS board member.
Lopez added that Our Family Services is running the programs with grants received from Pima County, but allows the HNS to retain control of its board and overall direction.
In 2008, even with its funding issues, the HNS provided over 200 hours of tutoring for more than 50 South Tucson children, 21 tattoo removal treatments and 1,259 hours of prevention, fitness and recreation services for hundreds of children.
They also provided 3,526 meals, a dozen field trips and thousands of bags of groceries for more than 150 seniors.
The HNS offers a number of regular programs that focus on improving socialization and enhancing quality of life.
Among these is a seniors’ program, which consists of providing well-balanced meals for seniors to gather and socialize several times a week.
Currently, more than 30 seniors participate.
“The senior program is wonderful,” Lopez said. “I sometimes join in their activities and I always have a great time.”
The HNS also offers a popular after school program for elementary-aged kids focused on improving literacy and socialization skills.
A computer literacy program for teenagers meets every afternoon.
“I’ve been coming to the House of Neighborly Service for three years now, and I really like it,” said 13-year-old, Ricardo Martinez. “The computer and reading programs are fun and help me do better in school.”
Prevention specialist, Vicky Buelna, who works with elementary children for the HNS said, “It’s been a pleasure working with the children. I enjoy it because I feel I am making a positive difference in their lives by helping them prepare for the future.”
The HNS also has a youth program that teaches kids how to build self-esteem, teamwork and socialization skills all through jump-roping and other activities said Victor Quiros, Our Family’s Program manager of Community Services.
“I attended The House of Neighborly Service as a child, and remember being a teenager cleaning yards and painting houses through their programs,” Lopez said. “The House of Neighborly Service is wonderful and has always been in my life, I can’t imagine what it would be like without it.”
