By Teleisa Coffee

My name is Teleisa Coffee, and I serve as the Regional Outreach Manager for Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) on the West side. My role is deeply rooted in community not just showing up, but building trust, listening to residents, and creating intentional partnerships that bridge the gaps between housing, education, and opportunity. NHS is back, and we’re showing up differently. This time, we’re not just doing what NHS has always done—we’re expanding, connecting, and rising with the people. Right now, my focus is on outreach and activation in neighborhoods across the Westside: Austin, East and West Garfield, Humboldt Park, Little Village, and North Lawndale. These are rich, historic communities that deserve intentional investment and long-term support. Our goal is to meet residents where they are, provide access to financial education, housing counseling, lending support, and homebuyer resources and then go further by collaborating with trusted organizations who are already doing the work.

We’re not coming in to take over, we’re coming in to build with. That means showing up at community meetings, partnering on block-level events, and being a visible, accessible resource. It also means helping residents not only buy homes but keep them. We’re closing the gaps that often leave people behind. One of the major initiatives I’m excited about is our NeighborWorks Week Project, taking place on June 14th at the Kelly Hall YMCA located at 824 N. Hamlin Avenue from 8 a.m. to 3p.m. We’ll be partnering with organizations, churches, and local artists to bring beauty, awareness, and healing to under-resourced areas. This isn’t just about painting and programming: it’s about reclaiming space, amplifying community voice, and investing in neighborhoods in ways that are lasting and respectful. These volunteer events allow residents to build camaraderie with neighbors, beautify shared spaces, and learn more about our important work and we invite you to join us. Through NHS, we are committed to building not just houses but communities. Our outreach efforts are about listening to what’s already working, uplifting it, and making sure our services reach the people who need them the most. Whether it’s down payment assistance, financial workshops, workforce development, or simply helping someone believe they can become homeowners, we’re doing it with the people.

Our new temporary location is 2950 W. Chicago Avenue, just a few blocks east of our old location. The full range of NHS services and our staff will operate out of this temporary location until the completion of the exciting redevelopment project called “The AVE” at the corner of Central Park Avenue and Chicago Avenue where we’ve been located for years. NHS is here, and we’re not just checking boxes, we’re building legacies – together.

(To reach Teleisa about services offered through NHS or for information regarding upcoming community and volunteer events, email her at tcoffee@nhschicago.org or call 773-329-4161)

Photo Credit: Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS)