HUD Designates Family Scholar House As An EnVision Center

L-R - Peter Jackson HUD KY Field Office Director; HUD SE Region Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett; Family Scholar House program participant Niah Gilmore; Cathe Dykstra CEO and President Family Scholar House and Michael Browder HUD SE Deputy Regional Administrator commemorate Family Scholar House official designation as a EnVision Center.

HUD SE Region Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett and City of Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer acknowledge the role of public private partnerships in helping make the Family Scholar House successful and its official designation today as a HUD EnVision Center.

L-R - HUD SE Region Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett, Taccara Davis Family Scholar House program participant and Cathe Dykstra CEO/President of Family Scholar House discuss the merits of the program helping to achieve self-sufficiency during a tour of the campus.

In an official ceremony today attended by public, private and community leaders the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designated the Family Scholar House, located at the Frank & Paula Harshaw Riverport Scholar House Campus, Louisville, Kentucky as an EnVision Center. HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett, Mayor Greg Fischer, and Family Scholar House President & CEO Cathe Dykstra were among the distinguished speakers on hand for the opening, along with an array of attendees.

HUD's EnVision Centers are premised on the notion that financial support alone can't solve the problem of poverty, and that collective efforts across a diverse set of organizations, both public and private, are needed to help low-income individuals and families rise out of it. The programs offered are based on the EnVision Center's four pillars: economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness, and character development. Located in Louisville's Riverport neighborhood, the center's services are targeted to residents of the Family Scholar House, although other area residents can access services.

“As we work to succeed in helping more families become self-sufficient, more families will be able to access the housing assistance they so desperately need,” said HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett. “EnVision Centers bring hope, opportunity, and a platform of stability from which long-term success for thousands of families in this area can ultimately benefit.”

“Our city and its diverse communities have witnessed remarkable success in leveraging public-private partnerships to provide resources to our citizens, particularly those in need,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “And with this new endeavor we look forward to collaborating with Family Scholar House, HUD, the Louisville Metro Housing Authority, and other EnVision Center partners to help provide the training and resources Riverport area residents need to become self-sufficient.”

Ms. Dykstra, whose official title includes 'Chief Possibility Officer' stated, “This is indeed an esteemed recognition for Family Scholar House, whose mission is to end the cycle of poverty and transform our community by empowering families and youth to succeed in education and achieve lifelong self-sufficiency. We are absolutely thrilled that the new center will provide us with additional means to care for them, giving these families further opportunities to contribute and succeed.” She added, “And, it wouldn't be a reality without the incredible assistance and generosity of our partners, for whom we are tremendously grateful.”

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ABOUT FAMILY SCHOLAR HOUSE: Born from Project Women, the nonprofit organization was established in 1995 by representatives of six orders of nuns. As Family Scholar House, its name reflects a bigger, broader mission, and comprehensive, holistic services for disadvantaged single parents, their children and foster alumni. What began with only four families is now a recognized national best practice headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, serving more than 9,000 people annually and focused on education as a primary path for ending the cycle of inherited poverty.

Press Release: Family Scholar House and HUD Public Affairs