Team of volunteers helps restore struggling couple's home

When their house on Giboney Street was condemned last year, James King and Lilian Martin were forced to move out and take refuge with relatives. Their home had fallen into disrepair because of health problems and poverty.

Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri stepped in to help King and Martin get their home back. Martin is a client of the charity’s developmental disabilities program, so Ronnie Phillips, Martin’s support coordinator, was aware of the situation and was able to get the couple the home repairs they needed.

“It had really fallen into significant disrepair. From the sewage system not working properly to holes in the floor and bug infestation, it was really in bad shape,” said Kyle Schott, regional director of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri.

Because of the size of the project, a team of volunteers, churches, businesses and not-for-profit organizations was assembled to bring the house up to code and make it livable again.

“This house was beyond what we’re normally called to work on. So it took more than just our nonprofit to be involved,” said Maureen Jersak, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri’s director of communications.

James King and Lillian Martin spend a moment Wednesday on the front porch of their newly remodeled home in Cape Girardeau.Glenn Landberg

“I’m afraid we almost got in over our heads with this,” Schott said.

Over the course of about seven months, the team refurbished the house, inside and out. The flooring was removed and replaced. The roof was repaired. Window World installed windows and siding. East Missouri Action Agency provided insulation and appliances.

Volunteers from throughout the state donated their time to the cause. Businesses such as 4 Site Counseling, Advanced Pest Control, Drury Southwest, Ram Power Service and the Long Term Recovery Committee of Wayne County donated materials or labor.

Funding was provided by Missouri Housing Trust Fund, Senior Citizens Service Fund of Cape Girardeau, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, Centenary Methodist Church and the First Methodist Church of Jefferson City, Missouri.

“We had a lot of help. Centenary Methodist Church has been a tremendous partner for us. Plus all the business partners ... that volunteered their time and their services to see this.”

James King makes his way Wednesday into the living room of his newly remodeled home in Cape Girardeau. King shares the home with Lillian Martin, and the two were able to move back in Monday.Glenn Landberg

Schott said the home’s owners were elated when they received the keys and moved back in Monday.

“They were overjoyed to see this process through,” he said.

Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri officials expressed appreciation for all those who came together to help King and Martin during their time of need and acknowledged they could not have done it alone.

“We spearheaded it, but oh my, it took all of us,” Jersak said.

“These are good people, and it’s wonderful to be a part of it.”

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

Giboney St., Cape Girardeau, MO