One Level Up Foundation · Serving Underserved Communities
Wraparound support for homeless individuals — advocacy,
financial literacy, housing, and digital empowerment.
Our Three Pillars
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About One Level Up Foundation
One Level Up Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and economic hardship connect with immediate resources and pathways toward long-term stability. Our work includes resource and referral navigation, digital literacy, workforce readiness, practical AI skills, and community partnerships.
We currently serve communities in New Jersey, Tidewater Virginia, and North Carolina. Some direct-service programs are being developed; when a service is not provided directly by OLU, our team can help identify appropriate community, government, or nonprofit referral options.
↑ Back to Site MapWho We Serve
Every story is different. Every person deserves dignity. Select a population below to explore resources and how we help.
Senior Homelessness
Adults over 50 now make up nearly half of all homeless individuals in the US. Fixed incomes, rising rents, and health crises push seniors to the streets at alarming rates.
Mental Health & Homelessness
Mental illness is both a cause and consequence of homelessness. Without stable housing, managing mental health becomes nearly impossible — and without support, housing cannot be maintained.
Family Homelessness
Families with children are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. Job loss, domestic violence, and the affordable housing crisis push entire families into shelters, cars, and motels.
Youth & Minors
Youth homelessness is largely hidden. Young people couch surf, sleep in cars, and avoid shelters out of fear. Many aged out of foster care with nowhere to go. LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented.
Our Programs
Our work connects people with practical information, referral navigation, digital skills, and pathways to greater stability. Some programs are in development and will be offered as capacity and funding become available.
We share community needs, elevate lived experience, and help people identify trustworthy public and nonprofit resources related to housing stability and economic opportunity.
AdvocacyWe provide educational information and referral support related to budgeting, banking access, benefits navigation, credit education, and financial stability. Workshops are offered as cohorts and partners become available.
Financial EmpowermentWe help individuals identify housing, shelter, benefits, and community-resource options and can point them toward the appropriate agency or nonprofit for eligibility, application, and placement information.
HousingOur Digital Pathways model builds practical digital and AI skills for work, online resource access, benefits navigation, communication, and career readiness as cohorts become available.
Digital EquityResource & Referral Hub
We help visitors identify possible housing, benefits, youth, family, and community-support pathways. OLU does not determine eligibility or approve outside benefits. Send us a request and we can point you toward an appropriate public agency or nonprofit referral for more information.
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Homeless Donations
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Support Our Mission
Every dollar goes directly to wraparound services, training, and housing navigation for homeless individuals in underserved communities.
$50 provides one week of digital skills training for a homeless individual.
🔒 Secure & encrypted · One Level Up Foundation, Inc. · NJ Entity ID: 0451473290
Get Help
No judgment. No barriers. Whether you need emergency shelter, housing assistance, financial guidance, or just someone to talk to — we are here.
Tell us what housing or shelter information you need. OLU can help identify an appropriate public agency, nonprofit, or community referral and point you toward the next step.
Request a Housing ReferralTell us what benefits, budgeting, banking, or financial-stability information you need. OLU can help point you toward appropriate education or referral resources.
Request Financial InformationOur dedicated One Level Up crisis hotline is launching soon — direct connection to trained counselors who understand homelessness and mental health. Until then, call 988 for immediate crisis support.
Call 988 NowOur 8-week workforce-readiness cohort for young adults combines digital literacy, practical AI, Microsoft and Google tools, résumé and LinkedIn development, interview preparation, career exploration, individual coaching, and portfolio development. Register your interest and we will reach out as cohorts become available.
📧 info@onelevelupfoundation.org · 🌐 onelevelupfoundation.org
Information & Referral Request
If OLU does not provide the service directly, we can help point you toward an appropriate public agency, nonprofit, community program, or other referral source. Complete the form below or email info@onelevelupfoundation.org.
OLU provides information and referral navigation; eligibility, availability, placement, benefits, and final decisions are determined by the outside agency or provider. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health or suicide crisis in the U.S., call or text 988.
Free Community Resource · Volume 1, Issue 1
A practical guide to survival today — clean water, shelter, food, mental health support, legal aid, transportation, and more. Free to read online, print, or share with someone who needs it.
New Jersey · Tidewater Virginia · North Carolina
Tap any topic to read it online, or download just that page as a printable flyer.
Finding Clean Water
Finding Free Coats & Warm Clothing
Staying Connected
Edible & Medicinal Plants for Survival
Finding Food Resources
Finding Safe Shelter
Mental Health & Wellness Resources
Replacing Lost Identification
Getting Around Without a Car
Staying Clean & Healthy
Free & Low-Cost Legal Help
Connecting with Your Community
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from individuals, families, and partners across New Jersey, Tidewater Virginia, and Charlotte NC.
Call or text 211, which is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina including Charlotte. You can also reach out to One Level Up Foundation directly at info@onelevelupfoundation.org, and our housing navigators will walk you through options including emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and Section 8.
The Faith Action Network (FAN) is a partnership between One Level Up Foundation and faith communities across New Jersey, in collaboration with Lt. Governor Dale G. Caldwell, that connects houses of worship with resources, training, and tools to support people facing housing insecurity in their local communities.
You can donate to One Level Up Foundation, Inc. at givebutter.com/onelevelup. Your gift directly funds housing navigation, free resource guides, digital training workshops, and community programs serving individuals, families, and veterans in New Jersey, Tidewater Virginia, and Charlotte NC.
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