Susan Frank passionately expresses the mission of Hearts for Homes.
Vicki Baker
“A house is made of bricks and beams; a home is made of love and dreams.” And that is exactly what Susan Frank, founding director of Hearts for Homes, has taken on as her life’s mission. At the Kiwanis Club RR December 4 meeting, Susan shared her vision of providing no cost assistance housing repair and rehabilitation to the very low-income aging population in Denton County.
For nearly 20 years Susan served as educator, coach and administrator for Liberty Christian School in Argyle. During this time inspiration came to her when she lived in Pilot Point. A senior woman ran a small, old-fashioned country store nearby. The woman had no family around, so people from the community would help her take care of her property. From that day forward Susan knew someday she would be involved with some kind of outreach helping people with their homes.
At age 51 Susan left her job to seek her calling. Hearts for Homes was chartered in 2006, and the work began with one volunteer. Susan spent the first six months networking with various social service agencies: SPAN, Meals on Wheels, local senior centers, City of Denton Community Development, RSVP and Area Agency on Aging. With the groundwork laid, Hearts for Homes began working on projects in late August 2006.
The impact of this agency is profound. Now completing its ninth year, over 150 homes have been repaired with over 50,000 volunteer hours. One hundred percent volunteer driven, the organization receives funding solely through private donations, foundation grants and fundraising events. It coordinates with local agencies, churches, service providers and community groups to identify seniors with little or no family, little income and lacking the health or ability to keep up with major home repairs as they age. Typical work includes painting, caulking, roofing, plumbing repairs, siding repairs and yard clean up.
Passionate volunteers and visionary leadership have made Hearts for Homes successful as they work to improve the living conditions of the most needy seniors and allow them the opportunity to remain independent and live out their days in their own homes. Dorothy and Toto had it right, “There’s no place like home.”
Interested in repairing hearts while repairing homes? You too can provide hope and dignity through home rehabilitation giving seniors a safe, comfortable and well-functioning home to enjoy in their later years. Contact Hearts for Homes at www.heartsforhomes.org.