What is Andrews House?
- One of Delaware’s best kept secrets
- A true community treasure
- Unique…hard to find something similar
- Programs run by volunteers
- Completely independent
- Dependent on the generosity of individuals, churches, corporations, and foundations
Andrews House is Delaware’s multifaceted community services center. It was founded in 1993 when a local church purchased a former fraternity house – which was then renovated largely by volunteer labor. The Andrews House founders envisioned the facility as “…a place for hospitality, healing, and education and to advocate for individuals and families in the community. It is a safe place of acceptance, where people meet, learn, find solutions, overcome differences and achieve wholeness.”
Andrews House is the home of seven non-profit social service agencies. We also provide office space for three help-giving, local small businesses. We call them our “resident partners” and we provide them with below-market rental office space. The relatively modest rent allows the agencies to spend their dollars on programs and direct services as opposed to overhead.
When this many help-giving agencies are in close proximity, referrals are easier, costs can be shared (e.g., common copy and fax machines), programs can be cross promoted, and peer support is more likely to occur. This is a kind of synergy that many for-profit entities seek in their operations.
Andrews House also supports seven programs separate from those of its resident partners including free meals, free legal advice, a fresh food distribution, and summer lunches to children.
As you can imagine, many of the things we do produce some heartwarming moments. With our resident partners and our largely volunteer-based programs, we are able to live out our mission of “People Strengthening People.”