Sojourner Truth House

What Sojourner Truth House does

Sojourner Truth House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization founded in 1997 and headquartered at 410 W. 13th Avenue in Gary, Indiana, that serves homeless and at-risk women and their children in Gary and the broader Northwest Indiana region. The organization operates as a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and is led by Executive Director Angela Paul (since July 2021). Its core service portfolio includes a holistic Day Center Program offering meals, transportation, laundry, case management, and classes; Lake County's largest food pantry serving approximately 9,198 households (28,700 individuals) and distributing 247,430 pounds of food in 2023; HUD-funded Permanent Supportive Housing programs (PSH and Gateway) collectively supporting roughly 100 households across 20-25 locations in Gary, Merrillville, Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting, and Lowell; and the Transitional Outreach Program Participants (TOPPs) program for formerly homeless women in permanent housing. Supporting programs include the annual Santa Store with a Sojourner Bucks incentive system, the 5 Loaves & 2 Fish community food drive, and Community Ambassadors auxiliary.

STH does not operate a technology product or platform; services are delivered through in-person human case management, direct facility-based programming, and distributed housing units. The underlying operational backbone consists of case management workflows, a donor CRM (implied by multiple giving channels including one-time, monthly, planned giving, and donor-advised funds), and basic data systems — none of which are described as proprietary technology.

The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue stack: individual donations (one-time, recurring, and planned/estate gifts), corporate and foundation grants (NISOURCE, Walmart, Whole Foods, John W. Anderson, Legacy foundations), government contracts (HUD for PSH/Gateway; City of Gary and Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority), in-kind donations, and special-event fundraising (Walk for STH, Pancake Breakfast). All services are provided free of charge to clients; the unit economics are donor-funded rather than fee-based. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on shelter referrals, word-of-mouth, government referrals for PSH programs, volunteer recruitment, and Community Ambassadors to reach both clients and supporters within the Northwest Indiana geography.

Name

Sojourner Truth House

Legal name

Sojourner Truth House

Website

https://sojournertruthhouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sojourner Truth House is a Gary, Indiana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that provides day center services, food assistance, and Permanent Supportive Housing to homeless and at-risk women and children across Lake County and Northwest Indiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Homeless services nonprofit
• Emergency food pantry
• Permanent supportive housing
• Transitional housing programs
• Social services for women

Headquarters

HQ city

Gary

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: STH relies heavily on individual donors who make one-time or recurring (monthly) gifts. The organization promotes various giving options including online donations, mail-in checks, and monthly giving programs to support ongoing operations and client services.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: STH receives grant funding from corporate foundations (NISOURCE Charitable Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Whole Foods Foundation) and community foundations (John W. Anderson Foundation, Legacy Foundation) to fund specific programs including Permanent Supportive Housing, food pantry operations, and client services.
3. Government Contracts: STH receives HUD funding for Permanent Supportive Housing programs and Gateway program, as well as city and state funding from City of Gary and Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority to support housing-first initiatives.
4. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: STH offers planned giving options including bequests, charitable gift annuities, beneficiary designations, and retained life estates for donors wishing to include STH in their estate planning.
5. In-Kind Donations: STH accepts and distributes in-kind donations of food, clothing, personal care items, furniture, and household goods donated by individuals and businesses for client use.
6. Special Events and Fundraising: Annual events including Walk for STH, pancake breakfasts, and community fundraising campaigns generate revenue while also raising awareness. Sponsorships from businesses like Hard Rock Casino and NIPSCO support these events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sojourner Truth House is a 501(c)(3) social services nonprofit operating in Gary, Indiana as a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. It runs a comprehensive Day Center Program for homeless women and children residing in local shelters, Lake County's largest food pantry, two HUD-funded Permanent Supportive Housing programs (PSH and Gateway) totaling roughly 100 households across Northwest Indiana, and the TOPPs program supporting formerly homeless women after housing placement. All services are delivered free of charge.

Product overview

Sojourner Truth House is a nonprofit social services organization offering a coordinated suite of programs for homeless and at-risk women and children. The core service portfolio includes the Day Center Program providing holistic client services, a Food Pantry (Lake County's largest), Permanent Supportive Housing programs (PSH and Gateway), and Transitional Outreach Program Participants (TOPPs). Related programs include the annual Santa Store with Sojourner Bucks incentive system, the 5 Loaves & 2 Fish community food drive initiative, Community Ambassadors volunteer auxiliary, Coffee & Conversation outreach events, and annual fundraisers like the Walk for STH and Pancake Breakfast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day Center Program Holistic day center serving homeless women and women with children residing in local Gary shelters, providing meals, transportation, laundry access, case management, and classes to address root causes of financial and emotional struggles. Operations Monday-Friday, 8am-3pm.
• Food Pantry Lake County's largest food pantry, distributing 247,430 pounds of food in 2023 to 9,198 households (28,700 individuals) at an average cost of $15.57 per person per month. Drive-up and walk-up distribution Tuesday-Thursday 9-11am and 1-2pm for Lake County residents.
• Transitional Outreach Program Participants (TOPPs) Program addressing spiritual, mental, social, financial, and personal challenges for formerly homeless women who have transitioned into their own homes, offering therapeutic and life skills classes to maintain self-sufficiency.
• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program - South Shore Commons HUD-funded Housing First program providing permanent housing with case management and wraparound services at South Shore Commons in Gary and additional locations. Includes monthly workshops on financial literacy, life skills, trauma recovery, yoga, and art therapy.
• Gateway Permanent Supportive Housing Program HUD-funded Housing First PSH program managing 45 households across 20-25 scattered-site locations in Gary, Merrillville, Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting, and Lowell, with referrals from local shelter providers and case management services.
• Community Ambassadors Program Volunteer-based auxiliary group operating across four core areas: advocacy, awareness, fundraising, and volunteering to extend Sojourner Truth House's reach into the Northwest Indiana community.
• Walk for STH Annual Fundraising Walk Annual peer-to-peer fundraising walk held in June to support women and children experiencing homelessness and hunger; 2026 marks the 27th anniversary of the event.
• Pancake Breakfast Annual Fundraiser Annual community fundraiser hosted at Applebee's in Merrillville, Indiana, featuring door prizes, community fellowship, and fundraising for Sojourner Truth House's greatest needs.
• Santa Store Program Annual holiday program where participants earn 'Sojourner Bucks' by doing good deeds to purchase gifts for family members and household items. The 2024 program helped 250 women and families.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 9,198 households (28,700 individuals) in 2023 food pantry, a 9% increase over 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Women's Foundation of IndianacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 May 2026Statewide organization dedicated to investing in women's economic mobility, leadership, wellness, and community impact. Donated essential items from STH Amazon needs list including diapers, household supplies, and children's items. Visit included conversations around economic mobility and workforce development.
• Ameristar Casino of East ChicagominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2023Employees donated Thanksgiving gift certificates totaling $620 in 2023, $2,500 Walk for STH sponsorship, and 120 roller suitcases valued at over $2,000 for clients fleeing desperate situations.
• Macy's Highland StoreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 August 2023Hosted private shopping trip for 20 women and staff from STH to buy clothes and back-to-school items for their children. Part of Macy's commitment to giving back to local community.
• Hard Rock Casino Northern IndianacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 December 2021Presented $25,000 check in December 2021 to fund programs helping homeless and at-risk women and children in Gary, Hammond, Hobart, Lake Station, Whiting, and NWI. Major annual sponsor.
• NIPSCO (NiSource)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor annual sponsor and donor providing $12,000 Hope for the Holidays donation to Santa Store serving 250 families. Employees participate in community service events including Black Labor Week volunteer activities.
• CSA (Christian Services Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor supporting Walk for STH and other fundraising events.
• Luke BrandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor supporting STH programs and events.
• Strack & Van TilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor supporting STH programs and events.
• Service League of Northwest IndianacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor and volunteer partner. Members assist with Santa Store week activities and other volunteer initiatives.
• EnbridgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor and volunteer partner. Employees volunteer during Santa Store week and community events.
• Geminus CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Regional Care Group. Provided backpacks and school supplies for Back to School event. Supports child enrichment programs.
• Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsoring religious organization. STH is a ministry of PHJC. Provides spiritual guidance, volunteer support, and administrative oversight. Mother organization also sponsors Linden House affordable housing for seniors and MoonTree Studios retreat facility.
• Lerner and RoweminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonor who brought U-Haul full of donations to stock Santa Store. Team shopped early picking items with STH participants in mind.
• Suncrest Christian ChurchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular monthly volunteers who set up Santa Store, garden volunteers, and members participate in Community Ambassadors program. Lead Pastor Greg Lee serves on Board of Directors.
• Black Labor Week Project Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Ephrin E.J. Jenkins, this initiative organizes Black Labor Week 2025 with Day of Community Service encouraging union members to volunteer at local organizations including STH.
• Moses Eyecare CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership providing participants with eye exams and eyeglasses when insurance is unavailable.
• MoonTree StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry of Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in Donaldson, IN. Hosts Motivated to Move Forward retreat for STH clients featuring art therapy and spiritual renewal programs.
• Food Bank of Northwest IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor food supplier providing food products for distribution through STH food pantry.
• Millhouse Engineering & Construction Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer group that harvested 201.5 pounds of produce from STH garden and completed garden cleanup and mulching projects.
• Linden HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffordable housing ministry for low-income seniors sponsored by Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Connected STH volunteer Gregory Traylor to housing and employment as maintenance worker.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National umbrella organization for 167 Catholic Charities diocesan agencies providing social services across the U.S. Comparable to STH on Catholic identity, housing and food assistance mission, and donor/government funding model, but operates at vastly greater scale and serves broader populations beyond women and families.
• YWCA USA: National women's services organization with 200+ local associations providing housing, domestic violence services, workforce development, and racial justice programming. Comparable to STH on women-focused mission, housing/homeless services, and wraparound service model, but operates nationally with much larger scale and broader mission scope.

Direct peers

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary: Diocese-level Catholic social services agency serving Northwest Indiana with food pantries, emergency assistance, refugee services, and housing support. Closest direct peer to STH in mission, Catholic affiliation, geography (same diocese), and service portfolio (emergency food, case management, housing referrals).
• Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living: Gary, Indiana-based nonprofit providing mental health, behavioral health, and social services to residents of Northwest Indiana. Comparable to STH on wraparound social services for vulnerable populations, Gary-based operations, and case-managed client programming for individuals with complex needs (mental health, addiction).
• YWCA of Northwest Indiana: Regional YWCA affiliate serving women and families in Northwest Indiana through domestic violence services, housing support, and empowerment programming. Directly comparable to STH in target population (women and families in crisis), regional geography (Lake County/Gary/NWI), and service mix (housing + case management + advocacy).
• Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana: Regional Habitat affiliate providing affordable housing development, homeownership counseling, and critical home repair in Lake and Porter Counties. Comparable to STH on the housing access mission and Northwest Indiana geography, though focused on homeownership pathways rather than emergency/transitional housing.
• Goodwill Industries of Northwest Indiana: Regional Goodwill affiliate providing workforce development, job training, and supportive services for individuals facing barriers to employment in Northwest Indiana. Comparable to STH on wraparound services for vulnerable populations, regional footprint, and case-managed client programming.
• Salvation Army of Gary: National faith-based homeless services organization with a Gary, Indiana location providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, food assistance, and case management. Direct peer on homeless services delivery, food distribution, and faith-based funding model in the same service geography.
• St. Vincent de Paul of Lake County: Catholic lay organization operating parish-based food pantries, emergency rent/utility assistance, and homeless outreach in Lake County and nationwide. Closely comparable to STH on faith-based funding model, emergency food distribution, housing assistance, and Northwest Indiana service geography.

Others

• Food Bank of Northwest Indiana: Regional food bank aggregator serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, and Starke counties. Functions as STH's primary upstream food supplier rather than a direct competitor, but is comparable on food access mission, regional geography, and donor/foundation relationships in Northwest Indiana.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/STHGary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sojourner-truth-house

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sojourner Truth House