Walmart Foundation Grant Supports Home Works of America, Inc.
October 15, 2014
IRMO, SC – Home Works of America is pleased to announce that it has received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program for its South Carolina home repair programs. This grant will be used to help fund the repairs of 23 homes across Greater Columbia on October 25, 2014.
Home Works of America is a 501c3 with a mission to show God’s love through service to others, by repairing the homes of elderly and disadvantaged homeowners, assisting youth in their development and empowering communities to care for their own members. Since 1996, Home Works has enabled more than 35,000 volunteers to repair the homes of more than 2,200 elderly, disabled or veteran homeowners who qualify for home repairs based on income/ownership guidelines.
“Home Works isn’t just repairing homes – it’s restoring hope and empowering communities across the Midlands,” said Brooke Mueller, Walmart’s Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations in South Carolina. “Walmart is honored to provide financial support for this life-changing endeavor to support homeowners in need.”
Charitable non-profits must always wisely choose whom they will serve. While many organizations prioritize the needs of a growing elderly population, other non-profits focus on the complex and changing environment in which youth need to be mentored. Home Works uniquely engages both demographics and works to create a context in which youth intersect with poverty stricken elderly homeowners in a mutual experience of transformation.
A typical homeowner assisted by Home Works of America is a 71-year-old, single African American woman, annually living on $12,000. Home Works brings middle school, high school or college youth and adult mentors (often church youth groups, school groups, or youth fulfilling necessary community service hours) into this person’s isolated world.
It is always a collision that brings hope. Home Works oversees various repair projects, ranging from the replacement of roofs to the construction of ramps, the gutting of bathrooms, the repairing of ceilings and the painting of walls. In order to complete these projects free of charge to the homeowner, Home Works relies on the generous donations of corporations, churches and foundations, as well as in-kind donations by professionals who offer their services.
Repairs are often done in collaboration with city and county governments. Home Works currently conducts home repairs across South Carolina – Aiken, Charleston, Clemson, Columbia, Fort Mill, Greenville, Myrtle Beach and Rock Hill – as well as Augusta GA, Fayetteville NC and Peru. In 2013, more than 164 homes were repaired in these locations by 2,356 volunteers.
In 2013, community giving in South Carolina from Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs and the Walmart Foundation totaled $29.2 million.
About Home Works of America
Home Works of America originated in Irmo, South Carolina under the leadership of Hank Chardos who is retiring in November 2014. At present, Home Works has a 9 member Board of Directors, two Community Advisory Boards (Columbia and Upstate), as well as a three person staff. Jim Powell currently serves as Executive Director. For more information on how to volunteer or to apply for home repair assistance, please visitwww.homeworksofamerica.org or contact the Home Works office at (803)781-4536.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts that draw on the strengths of Walmart in the arenas of sustainability, economic opportunity, and community. As part of our commitment to creating a more sustainable food system worldwide, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States. They recently exceeded a $2 billion goal to fight hunger one year ahead of schedule and have donated more than 1.5 billion pounds of food to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit www.foundation.walmart.com.
