CRWorks, Inc., established in 2002, is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization committed to the fight of eradicating homelessness, a social crisis that threatens the well-being of our communities. We do this by offering programs and services geared toward empowering families through computer and vocational training and job preparedness. We provide case management to guide our participants over a two (2) year period so that they can achieve self-sufficiency and home ownership.

HETSS is our HUD funded transitional housing program that provides housing and supportive services to families who have become homeless in the Northwest Indiana region.

Ruby Homes is our affordable housing development funded by Indiana Housing and Community Development and the City of Gary, with donated properties from the Lake County Commissioners. The Ruby Homes program consists of six new construction units and five rehabilitated units of scattered site single family affordable housing developed to assist with ending homelessness in Northwest Indiana.

Ruby Homes is the result of good, strong collaboration between community partners. The City donated lots and money, the Lake County Commissioners donated rehab units, and corporations, such as the Knight Foundation, donated monies toward job training in the trades for clients who are on the Ruby Homes waiting list.

Our latest development is JADE Homes, a Green affordable housing program. The single family homes, for low to moderate income families, will be fitted with the latest in alternative energy technology. The project will use Green construction methods and materials to develop energy efficient homes that are LEED certified. 

In addition to our housing developments, CRWorks has several other programs.
These include:

• Golden Bridges, a program that utilizes the wisdom and experience of senior citizens to tutor and mentor high school students. Our senior citizens are trained using Harvard's Project Zero Teaching for Understanding framework. Students are tutored in Math and Language Arts based on Indiana Academic Standards to prepare for passing the ISTEP+ exam. Funded by the Legacy Foundation.
•  "Lake CTC," a technology program designed to bridge the digital divide by providing access to technology tools for members of the community. Funded by the US Dept. of Education, Microsoft and AT&T.
• Youth programs that assist students with academic skills necessary to pass standardized tests and graduate from high schools. Our youth programs also focus on college preparation activities and career development.
• A Food and Nutrition program that provide nutritious meals and incentives to students who are on free and reduced lunches.
• Parental involvement activities that include workshops in parenting skills, life skills, financial management and coping skills.
• Job readiness training, job search and job retention services for unemployed and under-employed clients.

CRWorks believes that if people are given empowering tools and opportunities, they can and will become positive, contributing members of the community.