Letter from the Director

Thank you for taking the time to visit our site.

Please take a few minutes to become familiar with our organization and with the current opportunities to serve and/or learn about the urban community. Good in the ‘Hood is an urban-based organization with a commitment to do all the good we can, in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as we can. Although our service opportunities are not solely limited to the urban community, we do have a purposeful inner city affinity. We firmly believe that consistent and focused acts of kindness have the power to influence, and ultimately change, an entire neighborhood.

No place needs the resources, compassion, and generosity as much as the inner city and our volunteers enthusiastically donate their time and talents in a manner that demonstrates kindness as the primary means of inspiring neighborhood decency. We are convinced that every simple act of selfless giving generates a positive impact in the life of others and has the power to initiate a contagious momentum of kindness. Our mission is to, “simply make a difference in one life, one family, one community at a time” embraces the heart of this conviction.

In 2003, we joined with the Phillips Partnership in their Chicago avenue/Lake Street crime control plan. Our efforts to reduce crime were successful and we received a letter of commendation for our participation. We continued to develop our partnership with Bethany Urban Development and Lutheran Colportage through our adopt-a-block community initiative. This proved to be a friendly means of getting acquainted with our neighbors and an opportunity to put our vision into action. Finally, we hosted a summer community picnic and were joined by 3 partnering organizations. Over 300 people attended this event and we enjoyed a day of good food, fun, games, and prizes.

Since our inception we have continued to expand our efforts in the urban community. During this past year we’ve had teams of volunteers regularly working in partnership with a number of urban-based organizations including: 2nd Harvest Heartland, Hunger Solutions, Hope for the City, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, Little Earth, Bethany International, Lutheran Colportage Services, Street Level Ministries, Bridging Inc., and Cedarcrest Church. We have continued our Adopt-a-Family program and have added a values-based family and children’s mentoring program in partnership with Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. In addition, we are currently serving 150+ families each month through our emergency resource and food distribution program. During the holidays we partnered with Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities and 6 local organizations to sponsor 1200+ families with Thanksgiving baskets and 600+ children with toys at Christmas. Finally, we once again hosted a number of groups for an urban service experience through our Urban Immersion program.

Are we successful in our approach? Only time will tell the true scope of our kindness-based influence. One thing we know for certain is that genuine, purposeful acts of goodness and kindness, not only have an impact, but are very much needed everywhere and by everyone in our society today. We would love to have you partner with us!

…Simply Making A Difference,

Shawn Morrison
Executive Director