A place to call home

Homefull was founded in 1988 under another name and with a different focus. Originally, its purpose was to give homeless people a place to go during the day. Then, in 2010, in response to public need, the organization expanded its services to address three of the root causes of poverty: housing instability, food insecurity, and barriers to employment. Every day, Homefull delivers its services to more than 2,000 people in Dayton, Columbus, and 15 other counties in western and central Ohio.

The organization provides housing and financial assistance to single adults and families either currently homeless or at risk of soon becoming so. Its programs are designed to keep people in their homes and to help them enjoy greater stability in their lives.

To help ensure people have reliable access to healthy food, Homefull works to bring grocery stores to neighborhoods with a large number of low-income and senior households. The nonprofit also operates a mobile grocery truck to bring fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, and household items to neighborhoods currently without a grocery store.

The nonprofit also runs job training programs and hires clients to work in its food preparation and property maintenance departments. This gives clients an opportunity to earn a living wage while building valuable skills and helping them maintain independence.

In addition, Homefull works with area employers to place clients in positions in manufacturing, custodial work, and the service industry. Along with providing paying work, these partners help individuals rebuild their employment history and train them in marketable skills that can be the basis for a new life.

Finding joy in helping others

The nine employees of CoverPoint Insurance regularly donate time and money to support Homefull’s mission. For several agency employees, the work hits home as they have family members who have experienced homelessness. Having seen firsthand how scarce resources can be for those already on the edge, they know Homefull is making a positive difference in the communities they serve.

The organization’s scope gives employees a chance to find joy in serving a cause they care about. For some, it lies in helping kids and families find a stable place to live. For others, it means preparing food and feeding the hungry.

“We volunteer with Homefull not for recognition,” said CoverPoint Insurance president Josh Mers. “Our actions are just a small part of helping this organization provide safe spaces and resources to those who need it.”

The agency further helps by preparing lunches for school-aged kids, complete with a handwritten note of encouragement tucked inside. The team also prepares hygiene kits for clients, purchases toys for kids during the holidays, and raises awareness of Homefull’s programs.

“Our actions are just a small part of helping this organization provide safe spaces and resources to those who need it.”

– Josh Mers, President, CoverPoint Insurance

Fulfilling a broader vision

Soon, southwest Dayton will no longer be a grocery desert. That’s because Homefull has invested in creating Homefull Grocery & Marketplace, a project sure to have a positive and immediate impact on the community. Currently under construction, the complex will include a grocery store, a regional food hub, a primary care doctor’s office, and a pharmacy. The two-story facility will also have offices upstairs, a 1,500-square-foot community event space, and customizable space for potential partners to lease. It’s the kind of project with the potential to transform a community.

But Homefull isn’t done yet. Its broader vision is to develop the entire 16-acre site to include 144 affordable housing units and a childcare center for about 100 kids.

“With support and input from the community, we’re here for the long run,” said Angelica Clark, the development coordinator at Homefull. “We plan to continue our work until there’s no more homelessness to address.”

“We plan to continue our work until there’s no more homelessness to address.”

– Angelica Clark, Development Coordinator, Homefull

Building healthier communities

Your vote can help Homefull receive a $10,000 donation, which would be used to continue to provide housing, food, job training, and other services to those in western and central Ohio who need it.

Help CoverPoint Insurance win $10,000 for Homefull by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by October 4, 2024.