Funding to support multiple programs for low-income residents
Life Change of SWMO in Cassville recently received a significant monetary boost to its efforts in the area, a $23,000 check from Mercy Health Foundation.
Derek Cornelius, Life Change director, said the donation, which represents more than a third of Life Change’s annual budget, will be put to use across the array of the organization’s offerings, including child care and the new mechanics and low-cost vehicle program.
“There are six or seven places this will go, from office supplies and administration costs to our classes,” Cornelius said.
“We are also hoping to rent a room across the hall from ours [at the Sho-Me Plaza] for childcare during all our meetings. Other items it will fund include meal coordination, a garage bay rental and tools, as well as meals during our classes and services.”
Life Change offers four classes: Jobs For Life, Faith & Finances, Alpha, and Basic Vehicle Maintenance. Services are on Sundays from 7-6:30 p.m., which includes a free meal, worship and a message or testimony (free childcare provided), and Life Change Lunch is each Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m., where a Bible, book or video series study and discussion completed over a free lunch.
Life Change also offers a store, where individuals can trade community service hours for goods like clothes and shoes. The Resource Center, located at 404 Hwy. 248, Suite 9, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and people are asked to call ahead at 417-665-1503, as staff and volunteers may be limited.
The newest project Life Change has launched is the vehicle repair and low-cost vehicle programs.
“[For the low-cost vehicle program], vehicles are donated, and we find out if they are fixable, and if it is, we fix it and low-income individuals can apply and possibly buy the vehicle for $500, provided they meet the criteria,” Cornelius said. “That may also include community service hours. it’s all based on need.”
In the vehicle repair program, individuals with vehicles needing repairs but do not have adequate funds may get up to three repairs per year. The first repair requires the owner to pay only the cost of parts. The second repair is cost of parts plus 50% of labor time donated in the form of community service, and the third repair is cost of parts plus 100% of labor time donated back through community service.
Those who utilize the program must also take a basic auto maintenance class, lasting about three hours on a Saturday and taught by Cornelius.
“All repairs are four hours or less, and it’s mainly for low-income individuals, but we can do some fixed-income,” Cornelius said.
The Mercy Health Foundation donation funding so many areas of Life Change is an annual offering, and Life Change’s application demonstrated such a need that the selection committee awarded Life Change more money than it applied for.
“We were impressed with the mechanics program when we were going through applications, and we wanted to offer Life Change more because they are doing such great work,” said Molly Holtmann, director of community health and access fore Mercy.
Cornelius said the news of the donation surprised him.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I’ve been in Cassville three years, but we’ve been working on Life Change for about eight years between Cassville and Springfield. I’m at a loss for words about the donation — it was not anything I expected.
“I hope it opens more doors and we are able to help more people. We are very grateful.”
