Summit Endowment renews grant to continue the Growing Stronger Program

inte8821 • January 9, 2013

IHA’s Growing Stronger Program has received renewed funding through a grant from Summit Endowment.

The Summit Endowment addresses the area’s health needs by supporting the development of programs and activities of non-profit organizations that will measurably improve the health of our neighbors.

Grant funding is based on two critical areas of need, diabetes prevention and management and increasing physical activity, which were identified in a 2008 community health needs assesment.

In addition, the Summit Endowment strives to better understand and address the social determinants of health and the distinct needs of vulnerable populations; supporting health initiatives and improving health where people live, learn, work and play.

For more information about the Summit Endowment, please visit:

IHA’s Growing Stronger Health and Wellness Program provides services to the residents of Washington Square Apartments in Chambersburg, PA who are seniors aged 55 years and older who are at risk of developing diabetes and/or other chronic diseases. Approximately one-third of the residents have already been diagnosed with diabetes. Seniors with limited income are more likely to develop chronic diseases because they tend to choose inexpensive food that is high in calories and sodium, rather than the more expensive fruits, whole grains and fresh vegetables that help maintain good health. Also, because money is scarce, they tend to test their glucose levels less frequently than necessary to cut costs.

IHA’s Growing Stronger program addresses the Healthy People 2020 objective to reduce the disease and economic burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) and improve the quality of life for all persons who have, or are at risk for diabetes. IHA’s program encourages at least daily glucose monitoring for residents diagnosed with diabetes, provides education classes and support group meetings to learn how to manage and/or prevent diabetes, and teaches safe, age-appropriate exercises and how to make healthy food choices.

Gary Free resident at Residences at Railroad Square Apartments

March 3, 2025
Gary Free grew up in Brunswick, MD. The first time he saw the Residences at Railroad Square, he knew he would love to live in the apartments. Now all he can think to himself is, “I am living here!” Gary said the day he signed his lease he was so happy! He has a picture hanging in his apartment that says, “You’re Home.” Gary looks at it often and says to himself, “I am!” He finally feels at peace. Gary feels his home is nice! He also feels one of the ways of living at Residences of Railroad Square is that he now has everything he ever wanted, asked for and needed. The only thing he feels is a concern is that most of the time he gets lonely. His goal is to try to meet people. He says, “I’m a very friendly person.” Gary says his experience living at the Residences at Railroad Square has been rather good. If he has any concerns he can talk to the office staff. He feels it can’t get any better than this!

Lease-up of Residence of Railroad Square

By Crystal Thomas • March 3, 2025
With excitement and anticipation, I watched the groundbreaking on June 29, 2023, with my assistant Vickie and IHA’s Supportive Services coordinator, Sandi. By the middle of September 2023 concrete walls were being set up. We watched as the roof was completed; then the windows and doors were installed. We impatiently waited for the day we received permission to see the inside of the Residences of Railroad Square property. Finally, on September 25, 2024, we had the privilege to tour the inside of this beautiful property. On the weekend of September 27, 2024, the IHA property management team along with the CEO Jodie, held a two-day in-person application event. The owners of First Stop Brunswick generously donated their space at 2. E. Baltimore Street. That lease up kick off generated 56 applications. Over the next three months, ninety more applications were submitted. Each applicant came with their own story which stirred our hearts. No matter how different their stories may have been, they all had the same wish, a place to call home for Christmas! On November 5, 2024, the first resident signed their lease and on December 23, 2024, the last empty unit was filled! Not only were we able to fulfill these residents' Christmas wishes but it also filled our hearts with joy!

Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to announce 4 funding awards received this quarter from community partners.

March 3, 2025
In November 2024, IHA was awarded a $20,000 grant from Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. This grant supports IHA’s three workshop series: Credit Café ; Financial Freedom Bootcamp ; and Ready, Set, Go… Home! In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp builds critical foundational skills for financial success. Ready, Set, Go… Home! walks participants through the entire homebuying process from start to finish. IHA also received a $1,574.37 designated grant from The PNC Homeownership Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These pass-through funds will directly support low- to moderate-income (LMI) households in achieving homeownership in Frederick County. In December 2024, IHA was awarded a $29,498 grant from the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT). MAHT is administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization. This grant program is a valuable resource for the advancement of affordable housing initiatives and will provide operational assistance to IHA’s affordable multifamily community in Cumberland, MD. In January 2025, IHA was awarded a $2,500 grant by The Natelli Communities Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These unrestricted funds will support IHA’s work across the multiple counties served by our programs and affordable rental communities.
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