How ROSS Helps Families Thrive  

HUD Strong Family Youth Fair Brings the Community Together 

Earlier this season, the HUD Strong Family Youth Fair brought over 50 residents together for a day of connection and learning. 

The event featured games, information booths, and a relaxed atmosphere where residents could ask questions, meet new people, and explore services available through RHA and local partners. It was a great turnout that showed the value of community engagement and accessible resources. 

Amy Byrd and Breanna Bailey Continue Outreach and Support 

This month, Amy Byrd and Breanna Bailey helped five new residents join the ROSS program. Their work focuses on building trust, offering consistent support, and helping residents take small, manageable steps toward their goals. 

In addition to enrollment, Amy and Breanna regularly check in with residents, connect them to local service providers, and make sure they have what they need to move forward whether that’s job training, educational resources, or family support. 

Professional Development for Staff, Program Growth for Residents 

Breanna Bailey recently attended the NAHRO IL/Indiana Joint Conference, where she connected with other housing professionals and brought back ideas to strengthen local programming. One immediate outcome is an updated approach to the Lifeforce Development Institute (LDI) class. 

LDI focuses on helping residents build personal and professional skills. The next session will include updated materials and activities designed to make the class more engaging and practical for participants. 

New LDI Class Begins in September 

Enrollment is now open for the next LDI cohort, starting in September. The class is open to residents who want to build leadership skills, improve communication, and set future goals in a supportive group environment. 

To learn more or to sign up, contact Amy Byrd at  abyrd@rockfordha.org  

The ROSS program continues to focus on consistent, person-centered support. Through regular outreach, resource coordination, and educational programs like LDI, the RHA team is helping residents build momentum one step at a time.