USA

“No matter what place you call home, the very word strikes a chord deep inside each of us. Home means sanctuary, the place we can rest, relax, enjoy time with friends, learn, grow … and just be. Our homes say a lot about who we are and what we think is important in life,” per Spirituality Health. Yet, underserved populations are at increased risk of never securing a proper “sanctuary” to call home. 

The Dirt Road Project’s initiatives will focus on three key underserved populations. They are:

• Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled – Roughly 11,000 individuals with challenges await placement into a “forever” residential home as they transition away from mom and dad, or another caregiver. Due to so-called economic decisions made at state levels, less and less opportunities are now available to those who need it, some of the most vulnerable in our society. However, a new chapter is beginning, and through the initiatives of The Dirt Road Project, those with IDD will be able to live comfortably in their new home with necessary supports to ensure success as independence is built separate from family. 
• Single-parent families – Each year, the percentage of single-parent families increases and as a result, locating suitable housing decreases. Head of households struggle to balance basic needs of the family, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Often times leading the families into Section 8 housing, homeless shelters, or subpar inner city living. Initiatives of The Dirt Road Project will included identifying families in need whose head of household is a positive role model within their community, employed full-time, and possesses a desire to rise above the statistical norm. Identified families will be assisted by TDRP in allocating a family homestead to create better tomorrows. 
• Veterans – Every year approximately 180,000 men and women enlist in the military to serve their nation in protection of freedom. And, each year, numerous amounts of veterans return to civilian status, having fulfilled their contractual duty with the United States government. Despite years of service, even endangerment of own life, veterans return with a multitude of needs, including location of suitable housing, often leading to homelessness. In an effort to eradicate, initiatives of The Dirt Road Project will be to secure appropriate housing to enable a healthy re-entrance into society.