Thanks to resident volunteers, the Neighbor-Up program is making a difference every day!

Dawn has made Crestview Village in La Vista, Nebraska, home for 11 years and is now taking on a new role in her community as a Neighbor-Up leader! The Neighbor-Up program launched in late August in response to COVID-19 to help bring the community together and address specific needs. Mercy Housing resident volunteers lead the program with the goal to bring neighbors together and find creative solutions for residents at Crestview Village.

Over the last six months, Dawn and the other volunteers have been very active. From coordinating efforts to provide community snow shovels and ice melt, to assembling welcome baskets for new residents, and food trains for families in need. Most recently, volunteers are working to launch a walking group to help promote health and wellness for all ages. Every effort they have made has been appreciated by so many!

Crestview is a 154-home property, that has already attracted 10 resident volunteers! Each Neighbor-Up volunteer displays a pink sign in their window that notifies others they are available in-person, on the phone, or via email to share and discuss information relative to the community.

Helping her community has always been natural for Dawn. For her, it is all about keeping the community safe, helping fulfill needs, and providing support to her neighbors. With her huge heart, Dawn does this with ease.

“You have to love people right where they are at, not where they want to go or where they have been,” said Dawn.

The monthly resident-led meetings are organized and supported by the Resident Service Coordinator (RSC) staff onsite providing a trusted space for everyone to know one another, share ideas, ask questions, and help residents initiate these solutions.

The Neighbor-Up Program is just one of many Resident Services programs offered at Crestview Village. Out-of-School Time for youth, the community garden, onsite food pantry, financial classes, and computer lab all offer residents additional resources to help each person achieve their goals.

“Mercy Housing wants to be a part of your life. RSC’s encourage you to reach out if you have a problem, regardless of its relation to rent. Mercy Housing offers a lot of different ways to help you and connect you with the entire community,” said Dawn.

With the help of these amazing volunteers, Neighbor-Up has been a huge success and we hope to grow this program at other Mercy Housing properties soon!