In May 2019, a tornado hit Jefferson, destroying much of a neighborhood and an apartment complex. This loss of housing made the existing shortage of affordable housing worse. In the Fall of 2019, having been offered the property of a church member whose house was damaged in the tornado, we held a series of conversations with local non-profits to help us discern how God was calling us to use this gift and how we might work to improve access to affordable housing in our community. 

By the end of 2019 we had decided to gift the property to Habitat for Humanity as it was near 3 other properties they would building homes on during a 2020 Blitz Build. We also became part of the founding of a new non-profit, Transformational Housing, and increased our support for Common Ground Community Building. 

Common Ground

We support Common Ground yearly through our missions giving. In 2021 we gave a gift from our Community Ministry Fund to support their work offering financial assistance, referrals, and housing programs. Volunteers from First Christian Church serve on their board and answer phones on Fridays. Common Ground works for the cause of affordable housing in our community through their Families Forward program, Coordinated Entry for those who are unhoused, and benevolence efforts.

Learn more about Common Ground at their website, www.cgcb.org/.

Transformational Housing

After the 2019 tornado, meetings of community and church leaders led to the establishment of this local non-profit in 2020. This startup was supported by our church with a financial gift in 2020 and we have offered to match private gifts from our congregation for 2021. Additionally we have had a work crew helping with first demolition and now construction on a 1910 vintage apartment building at 203 Cherry Street, that will become a 5 unit apartment that will provide affordable rental housing for low income families. This work crew works each Monday from 8-noon and another FCC crew works the fourth Saturday of each month.

Learn more about Transformational Housing at their website, transformationalhousing.org/.

Habitat for Humanity

Through a gift from one of our members, we were able to donate a lot at 916 Jackson St. to Habitat for their 2020 blitz build, which built four brand new homes in response to the 2019 tornado. Those four homes helped 32 people find safe, affordable housing. Crews from First Christian participated in the 2020 Blitz Build.

Learn more about River City Habitat for Humanity at their website, www.rivercityhabitat.org/.