Each June Urban Hope participates in a fun community outreach festival called Rock the Block on the city’s near east side. This year, the event provided the opportunity for 10 children (mentees) living in this underserved area to apply for an Urban Hope mentor! The day also allowed us to attract five mentor applicants! Urban Hope owes a huge thank you to Jeff Feilen and Rock the Block for allowing us to partner with them to serve this community and its at-risk children in this way.
Rock the Block is held in the 4300 block of East New York Street and has grown to serve over 600 community members with great music, words of inspiration and complimentary food and beverage for all who attend. All of this is due to the enormous heart of Jeff Feilen and JL Hair Realty. Jeff is an Indiana Real Estate Broker who shares management and leadership responsibilities for this caring organization. If you ask him why he continues to put so much time and effort into this special day (after already organizing 12 successful festivals), he will tell you that it is to simply demonstrate the love of God to his community. Jeff works with other Indianapolis businesses to give away bikes and toys to children and all kinds of useful gifts to those in attendance. Jeff is the pastor of a church body known as, COME AS YOU ARE. No need to buy new clothes or put on airs to attend here. Just come on over and be yourself. It meets at Emerson Avenue Baptist Church (308 Emerson Avenue) every Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Jeff is a Christian DJ involved in alcohol and drug abuse recovery programs and has also served in prison ministry.