Amazing Journey

People Helping People Together (PHPT) is repairing homes for the needy to keep warm, dry and safe. Our desire is to transform entire neighborhoods by renovating one house at a time. We are doing this by partnering with churches, businesses, civic groups and government agencies. PHPT has crossed denominational boundaries and what started with one church, we now have grown to 5 churches, 4 civic groups, 7 businesses and 3 government entities working together as a "community" for a common goal. It has been an amazing 12 months now with the progress we have made and continue to make a difference in Eastside. We have already repaired 7 houses. We are currently starting repairs on houses 8, 9,10 and 11. Our goal is 20 repaired houses for 2010. PHPT replaces roofs, installs new siding, new windows and heating as needed. We are currently working in Eastside of Columbia that is plagued with crime and drug abuse. We are already seeing a change in Eastside, the broken window syndrome is reversing. A sense of pride is already spreading through the community as they see improvements evolving. Crime and drug activity is not as prevalent as before, neighbors are united together in partnership with law enforcement to take the community back. Neighbors are gathering together on Saturdays and organizing pick up trash days as they show pride in their community. They are forming Neighborhood Watches and have joined the Maury County Concerned Citizens. They have organized Candle light Vigils, Prayer in the parks, a mile long yard sale to help fund a "Community Day" scheduled for Saturday June 17th. First Farmer's Merchants Bank has been our biggest contributor donating $30,000 this year to repair 10 houses. Partnering with the Tennessee Emergency Repair for the elderly, the $30,000 in effect becomes $90,000.(The bank has agreed to give us funds to repair 10 more houses in 2011 and more as the economy will allow. After the major repairs are completed on the house such as new roof, heating and siding then a group comes in an "adopts" the house. Which means they make the house look "homey." They spiff up the front porch by painting it and installing a new porch swing. They install new landscaping, flowerpots and do general clean up of the yard. A new mail box is installed. When the adoption is completed, then a ceremony is held and adopters,neighbors,family and friends attend. A minister gives a prayer of blessing over the house. PHPT does not only repair homes for the needy, "Americanism" is promoted by this project. The American Legion leads an American Flag ceremony and acknowledges all Veterans in attendance. The homeowner receives a new flag on their porch. We have a retired Navy Seal, Mr. Sherley Jones that leads the Pledge of Allegiance. Do not think this ceremony will not bring a tear to your eye. The homeowner speaks and thanks everyone for the work provided on their house. We have gained media coverage recently. Channel 4 WSM Nashville, chose us as the "People making a difference in Middle Tennessee" segment, April 17th (posted on our website). Mayor Bill Haslam of Knoxville (governor candidate) and Ted Fellman, Director of Tennessee Housing Development Agency heard about our group and came 2 weeks ago to visit one of the houses that we finished. Both where very impressed with our project. Mr. Fellman is watching our grass roots efforts as possibility of spreading across the state of Tennessee. We are not only repairing houses but changing lives. We are giving people hope. When we help someone, they in turn are doing what "they can" to help others, such as doing laundry for their elderly neighbors. It is totally amazing. Now that we are in the community working, we are finding out their other needs. We have a group that is helping them pay for their medications. Another group is getting their eyes tested for free and then free eye glasses. We are not just repairing houses but changing lives. You change a person's living conditions and you change their world. You give them a new sense of pride and self-confidence. We have found that children want to come home to visit their parents more because the living conditions are warm and inviting. I have to tell you this is the most rewarding experience ever. It is addicting, habit forming, you can't get enough of it, the more you give, you want to give more. Neighbors helping Neighbors, People Helping People. It is easy to get other people hooked on People Helping People Together. The result, community has bonded together and we are changing the world one house at a time. People Helping People Together. We are hooked on helping others. Now neighbors are sitting on their front porches again and safely walking in the streets. My dream is for PHPT to spread across Tennessee and the United States. My career is Selling Real Estate and I volunteer as President of PHPT.