One roof southeast neighborhood center

The OneRoof Southeast Neighborhood Center has made a notable impact on the South Bend community after its grand opening in late 2022. Sponsored by United Way, this brand new 18,000 square foot facility was designed as a pilot project - meant to be a proof of concept for future Neighborhood Centers. Equipped with countless resources, from a pharmacy to early learning facility, OneRoof Southeast is helping lead the charge in the fight against poverty.

With our architect partners at Arkos Design, we had to ensure our collaborative design would be multi-generational in nature, with amenities tailored to each age group. The high-quality early learning center is the foundation, while also offering holistic health services and programming from youth to seniors. In addition to an outstanding, nature-inspired playscape in the rear outdoor of the building, a 1,600 square foot multi-purpose room can be transformed into a play area when the weather begins to turn.

For adults, OneRoof Southeast offers a pharmacy, gathering space for various community clubs, computer tech services, and leasable office space. It’s no easy feat fitting all these capabilities into one built environment, but the project succeeds in addressing the needs of any type of local. Our Arkos Design partners helped us integrate the design with the principles of trauma-informed care - aiming to create built environments that promote well-being and safety, all under one roof.

As the first of first four planned OneRoof centers in the county, this location was chosen for a reason. Mark Herriman, Executive Vice President of OneRoof, explained that this specific neighborhood has the greatest need, with the goal of providing traction and momentum for the organization’s efforts. From assisting a family living in a car with emergency housing to connecting a laid off resident to support after becoming unable to pay rent, OneRoof’s fresh approach will continue to change and improve lives.