​GHR’s Solutions grants provide operational funding that promotes innovation and improves impact. In 2011, GHR made a three-year grant to Opportunity Partners to strengthen the organization’s hoMEbase Program (PDF), which rents several units of an apartment building, and in turn, sublets them to people with disabilities who are enrolled in their services. One of the units becomes an office for on-site staff, providing occupants with 24-hour independent living training and assistance.
 
According to Opportunity Partners,
“GHR provided the start-up capital needed to launch the independent living program.  By making a multi-year investment in this project, GHR Foundation afforded us the time and resources needed for this project to become self-sustaining.”

As a result of GHR seed funding, hoMEbase has expanded rapidly. After its successful 2011 launch in Hopkins, Opportunity Partners opened another hoMEbase site in Coon Rapids. Staff help organize social activities, coordinate transportation, assist with banking, provide daily check-ins and more. Opportunity Partners plans to expand the program to serve 50 people throughout the Twin Cities.

GHR is proud to support Opportunity Partners in its mission to provide quality integrated living, and that the program is now self-sustaining. Through projects like hoMEbase, GHR Foundation is fostering hope and opportunity in our Twin Cities community. To learn more about GHR Solutions grants, contact us.

 Greetings from GHR Foundation.  I am pleased to announce the arrival of a new team member, Dan Lauer, who has joined as senior program officer for the Children in Families initiative. He brings considerable expertise and extensive experience working on behalf of children globally and will make a valuable contribution to GHR's collaboration with grantees to protect children and strengthen families.  Please find Dan’s biography below.  Many of you have worked with Mark Guy over the past few months and I am pleased to announce that Mark will remain on the Children in Families team as program advisor, working with Dan to advance our common goals.  You can reach Dan at [email protected] or INSERT DIRECT DIAL HERE. I know he looks forward to collaborating with all GHR’s valued partners. 

GHR Foundation has hired Dan Lauer as a senior program officer to lead its Children in Families initiative. Lauer brings considerable expertise and extensive experience working on behalf of children globally and will make a valuable contribution to GHR's collaboration with grantees to protect children and strengthen families. 

Lauer will be working to leverage child protection interventions that strengthen families, address the needs of children and drive further evidence of innovative, pro-family approaches.   

Previously, Lauer was vice president of international programs at Holt International Children’s Services in Eugene, Oregon where he worked in various capacities since 1986. During his long tenure, his responsibilities included work in Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. Much of Lauer’s work at Holt was focused on finding permanent, secure, in-country families or family-like settings for children without homes. He also has experience in family preservation to prevent institutionalization of children. 

Lauer earned a master’s degree in international development, community and regional planning from the University of Missouri at Columbia, Missouri and a bachelor’s degree in community services and public affairs from the University of Oregon.

To learn more about partnering with GHR to promote pro-family approaches that benefit children, contact us.