(From the City of Joplin)
Tulsa and Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity teams, surrounding businesses and the City of Joplin are partnering on one of the most aggressive rebuilding efforts since last May’s devastating EF-5 tornado. The Ten for Joplin project team plans to build 10 homes during a 16-day period for low-income families in Joplin by Thanksgiving.
Community leaders announced the project at a news conference on the site of one of the new homes. The build is scheduled between Oct. 29 and Nov. 13 and will be take place in a neighborhood of Joplin that was in the affected area.
As the citizens of Joplin move into the rebuilding phase of their recovery, the need to help those who lost their homes has become evident. Of the nearly 7,500 homes damaged, some 43 percent were uninsured.
Ten for Joplin’s vision is to ignite volunteer efforts to rebuild Joplin by setting an example of what can be accomplished when businesses and communities come together to help one another.
“This is an exciting partnership that will not only provide 10 homes for 10 families, but will demonstrate the many benefits communities gain when working together,” said Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr. “As part of the Midwest, Tulsa Habitat and all of their volunteers and sponsors recognize the powerful reward one gets when helping their fellow neighbor.”
Donations and volunteers are needed to make this project a reality. The goal is to raise $800,000 in funds plus gifts in-kind and get 3,000 volunteers to support us on the blitz build. To date, Ten for Joplin has secured $400,000 toward this goal.
Companies that have signed up to be house sponsors are Hilti, Henry & Anne Zarrow Foundation, BKD CPAs & Advisors, Samson, TD Williamson, Inc. and Chase. Advanced Industrial Devices, Inc. also has signed up to sponsor half a house. Gift in-kind donations have been provided by Hilti, Thermal Windows, Inc. and Cor-A-Vent. United Way contributed tornado relief funds to help with the purchase of the ten lots.
“Habitat changes the lives of both its family partners and the volunteers building our homes,” said Paul Kent, executive director of Tulsa Habitat for Humanity. “Thousands of Tulsans have already been a part of clearing the debris. Now Tulsans have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by helping build and contributing funds to this great project.”
The Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity is working to interview and select families who will receive work side by side volunteers during construction and will take ownership of the homes based on the program’s eligibility requirements. Family selections are ongoing and will be announced at a later date.
“Interested families are considered for a Habitat for Humanity home based on three criteria,” said Scott Clayton, executive director of the Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity. “First they must have a need for housing. Second, since the family will actually be purchasing the home they must have the ability to pay a monthly mortgage. And lastly, chosen families must have the willingness to participate as a partner to help construct theirs and other families’ homes.”
To donate or volunteer to help Joplin families move back into their homes, go to the Ten for Joplin website at www.tenforjoplin.org.
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