About the Nonprofit
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The mission of the House of Neighborly Service is to provide opportunities that encourage, educate, and empower the families of our Westside community. We are a community where basic needs are met, where dreams and hopes are nurtured, and where neighborly support is a way of life.
Our history begins more than 100 years ago when the Presbyterian Church established “Homes of Neighborly Service,” a mission aimed at addressing the needs of Mexican-Americans. Rev. Robert N. McLean partnered with a women’s society to establish education and family services for San Antonio’s Westside in 1917. For their first decade of service, our founders operated out of an abandoned saloon. In the late 1920s, architect Harvey P. Smith designed a new building. Doors opened to HNS’s new facility in 1929. We still operate out of this building today. In the 1970s, HNS was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in order to better serve its mission. This gave the community more power over the direction of the organization. Providing vital social services remains the focus of HNS. We continuously evolve and expand to meet the identified needs of our Westside community.
Our neighborhood, San Antonio zip code 78207 is one of poverty and great need and lags far behind the city and national indicators for health, financial equality, domestic abuse, depression and food security. We address multiple issues through our core program areas – family support, child development, senior health and food security. These needs often overlap so our people in our community can access services that address specific or multiple needs. Our goal is to elevate and improve the lives of our neighbors and be a resource for them throughout their lives.
Programs include Kid’s Place, a child care program for ages 18 months to 5 years operating 5 days a week. Fees are below market rate and many attend at reduce or waived fees. This program also provides early intervention for speech/hearing delays and behavioral issues and two meals a day. Peace Pals is a free after-school program that provides enrichment activities, field trips, homework assistance and a light meal. Senior health provides home cooked lunches to seniors and social activities. Our Family Support Programs strengthens families through in-home parenting classes. We provide food boxes to help those facing hunger and food insecurity. A Community Healthcare Worker works one-on-one with families and seniors to assist them in navigating access to services and information they need to address areas of concern.