passion & purpose: fall 2025
$50,000 ‘Phil’ Grant to Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity Supports Low-Cost Repairs for Homeowners
Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity builds brighter futures in Missouri’s southwest corner. Now, that work is increasing through the Home Owner Property Enhancement program, a new initiative that helps low-income homeowners — primarily seniors, veterans and individuals with physical disabilities — with repair projects at a discount.
“There’s this middle ground that’s happening now — it’s people who have had a good job and lived a good life, but now that they’re retired — or whatever situation that they’re in — and they can’t afford the heavy cost of all that’s needed now,” says Scott Clayton, Joplin Area Habitat’s executive director, on the need for the HOPE program.
“In a world where everything is just so expensive, if you’re on a fixed income and you have one or two things go wrong, then you don’t know what you’re going to do.”
Help for those answers was recently supported by $50,000 from the Joplin Regional Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Society. The grant was one of four allocations directed to area nonprofits in May by the group, whose members donate $2,000 to $2,500 in annual dues and vote on which causes to support with the collective funding.
Bryan West, Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity’s community development manager, and Scott Clayton, its executive director, recently helped implement the Home Owner Property Enhancement program. The new initiative helps eligible homeowners make repairs that they are not able to do themselves.
“It’s dollars that go directly into changing our neighbors’ lives in a way that had not been addressed previously,” says Tom Wells with the Phil, who notes it’s meaningful to see the dollars making a quick impact. “Let’s get projects done and make their lives better.”
An example is Jonna, who with her husband represents some of the HOPE program’s first beneficiaries. The couple has lived in their Carthage home for more than 35 years, but retirement income and health challenges have made maintenance a challenge.
“I don’t like it that the house is needing repairs,” Jonna says, noting she has tried to find contractors to address the issues but couldn’t find options in her price range.
The new HOPE program and additional volunteer support will replace some windows, fix siding and soffits, and help rebuild their back patio.
“God has provided so much,” she says. “He’s taken care of us.”
The HOPE program is one of several initiatives administered by the Joplin Area Habitat chapter. Some are supported by volunteers and others involve contractors to complete bigger tasks.
“There’s enough good nonprofits and people that want to make things happen for folks,” says Clayton of local resources. “If that conversation can happen and we can get to know a situation, perhaps we can find out the best way to make a good connection.”
—by Kaitlyn McConnell
