You are invited to our 2nd annual Poverty Conference Thursday at Rhythm City Casino beginning at 9 am.   There are panels on re-entry, housing affordability, youth training and more.  You can come for one panel or all day.  Thanks for your interest.   9:00 am Welcome Dwight Ford, Project NOW Executive Director Update from Stormy Udell-Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies   Justice–                                                                                                                    ... Read More

The Illinois State Police has issued its first guidebook for officers on how to handle homeless individuals.  It was a joint effort among state police, local police departments, the state of Illinois and Project NOW—who served as a consultant to the effort.  A new digital directory of services will also be unveiled at the news conference.  Law enforcement officers respond to all types of emergencies and social-service related calls among all populations, including people experiencing homelessness.  This guide & digital directory will help officers provide information about resources... Read More

After being closed since before COVID the Esperanza Center in Moline will open its doors to up to 80 preschool children this fall.  Head Start Director, Andrea Flannery is thrilled the center—located in the Floreciente neighborhood– will be filled with students.  “The Floreciente community has always embraced Project NOW’s Head Start.  We have a long and rich history partnering with this community to enhance lives.  We want to be that support in the city of Moline for these underserved neighborhoods. We want to share in their progress, success, and growth in our shared community,... Read More

Project NOW is joining forces with other Illinois not-for-profits to aid those affected by the building collapse in Davenport. Project NOW will serve as a collection place for non-perishable food, new clothing, hygiene products, furniture, mattresses, etc.  Items can be dropped at its 418 19th Avenue Rock Island location for the next month.  Items can be dropped off between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm. According to Project NOW’s Executive Director, Dwight Ford, the agency is working with MidAmerican Energy and will be able to pay the utility bills for all its residents. Project NOW’s Community... Read More

Project NOW is opening a new Head Start center in Moline at the Esperanza Center this fall….and we need staff. Contact Head Start Director, Andrea Flannery, with any questions you have. 563-320-3452  Read More

Project NOW’s first Poverty Conference begins at 8:30 am on Thursday, April 27th at the Rock Island Holiday Inn with  Executive Director, Dwight Ford, reflecting on the organization’s 55-year history! Then there will be three panel discussions focusing on affordable housing, justice initiatives, and a discussion of the city of Dubuque’s anti-poverty plan. We have invited local elected officials on both sides of the river to hear about the city of Dubuque’s anti-poverty plan as we spearhead efforts to create a regional anti-poverty plan in our area.    The city of Dubuque created... Read More

After a nearly four-year hiatus Project NOW will be welcoming students to their new Head Start location in Aledo. The classrooms are located inside Community Bible Fellowship at 1109 SE 3rd Street. Project NOW’s Head Start Director, Andrea Flannery, is excited to welcome 21 students to two new Head Start classrooms. “Project NOW Head Start has missed being able to serve Mercer County with a high-quality Head Start program and we are thankful for our partnership with Matt and Jeannie Ewing, of Community Bible Fellowship to allow us to again serve the great children and families in this area.... Read More

One of Project NOW’s newest fleet additions is literally a life saver. Project NOW’s new refrigerated box truck began hitting the streets last fall to help those facing food insecurity. The truck, which is grant funded, is being used as a mobile food pantry—providing food to areas that have been defined as “food deserts.” Those areas include the west end of Rock Island, the Floreciente neighborhood, East Moline, and Silvis. According to our Community Services Director, Ron Lund, we have already provided 40 tons of food (80,000 pounds) in the community through pop ups, drive-throughs,... Read More

Project NOW’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (known as LIHEAP) provides utility assistance to residents living in Rock Island, Mercer, and Henry Counties. The program is funded through the state, and it provides one-time payments, a percentage of income payments, reconnection assistance, and emergency furnace assistance for those at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Project NOW’s Executive Director, Dwight Ford, says this past year the agency served more people in the LIHEAP program than ever before. The Rock Island based not-for-profit processed 6,520 applications which... Read More

A new monthly support group is being formed in Rock Island for families and friends of those incarcerated. The group is called 1 By 1 Foundation and its founder, Deacon Tim Granet, is inviting anyone who has a loved one behind bars to attend the first meeting—see attached flyer. The meeting is being held Saturday, July 23 from 9 to 11 am at St.Pius Catholic Church (McCarthy Hall) in Rock Island. Granet says the group was formed after hearing stories from people who had family members imprisoned and then their friend group disappeared. “Many people feel alone and isolated when a family member... Read More