Frequently Asked Questions


Below are some questions frequently asked about Neighborhood House. We bet you’ll be surprised by some of the answers! Feel free to share what you learn with a neighbor or two.

 

How long has Neighborhood House been providing services for our communities?
Founded in 1905 by the Portland Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, Neighborhood House was the city’s first organization committed to helping the many immigrants who were arriving at that time, and living primarily in South Portland.
 
Who are the people served by Neighborhood House programs?
Neighborhood House assists low-income, recent immigrant and other vulnerable people living in the greater Portland area. Our programs serve disadvantaged children needing help to be successful in school, families facing hunger and homelessness, and seniors needing support so they can remain living active and independent lives.
 
How many people does Neighborhood House help each year?
Neighborhood House served over 12,000 people last year.
 
Do you have services for Spanish-speakers? Other languages?
Neighborhood House's program participants represent a remarkably diverse mix of ethnicities and cultures. To meet the needs of these diverse communities, Neighborhood House offers culturally-specific services for African, Latino, Middle Eastern and Russian immigrants in various programs. We have many bilingual staff who speak Spanish, Russian and Somali and other African languages to effectively reach out to non-English speakers and to insure they feel welcome and are getting the help they need.
 
How many employees does Neighborhood House have?
Our team currently totals just over 100 staff.
 
What are your administrative costs?
Our administrative costs are currently a low 11% of total expenses.
 
Where does your funding come from?
Neighborhood House receives approximately 75% of its funding from government sources. The remainder comes from generous foundation grants and contributions from individuals, businesses and community organizations.