Author: tom

March 9, 2022

The Tallahassee Fuller Center is again accepting applications for its Greater Blessings home repair program, with some limitations.  Due to availability of financial resources and local jurisdiction permitting requirements, any request for a roof replacement will be based solely on the Board’s determination of our ability to secure and fund the services of a licensed roofing contractor to complete or supervise such projects.

If your home is within the City of Tallahassee, you may want to contact the City of Tallahassee Housing Division at 850-891-6566.  The city does offer a loan forgiveness program for low income families to make home repairs as funds are available. Additionally, if you reside inside the Tallahassee city limits, the Tallahassee Urban League has a housing rehabilitation/repair program. You may contact the Urban League at 850-222-6111.

If you are a Leon County resident, you can contact the Leon County Housing Services office at 850-606-1900 for information regarding their emergency home repair program.  Additionally, for Leon and surrounding counties, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has two housing rehabilitation / housing repair programs, a grant program and a low-interest loan program.  The USDA serves areas declared rural by the USDA.  Jurisdictions served in our area are Leon County, Wakulla County, Gadsden County and Jefferson County. Resources can be obtained at www.usda.gov or by calling 850-526-2610.

The week of March 7-12 the Tallahassee Fuller Center partnered with Good News Outreach to assist the residents of Maryland Oaks Crossing. During the weeklong project, volunteers replaced deteriorating skirting around 18 mobile homes and installed mulch in the community’s playground.  Maryland Oaks Crossing is a ministry of Good News that provides single parent families with safe quality rent subsidized housing on the west side of Tallahassee.

Several groups, including 10 students from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio participated. The incredible group of young people visited on a service-oriented Spring Break.  Other groups participating included the Florida A&M and FSU student and alumni chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and congregation members from New Harvest Church of God.

In addition, First Baptist Church of Tallahassee graciously provided lodging to the Wittenberg University students for the entire week, and the Men of Good Shepherd Catholic Church provided a hearty picnic style meal to the students and Fuller Center board members on Tuesday evening.

We would like to extend our grateful appreciation to everyone for their participation.

Despite all that he has experienced, Lewis Robinson is a man with a deep faith in God, and thus is a patient and thankful man. In 1995, Lewis was struck by a car while jogging. His injuries left him a quadriplegic requiring constant in-home care.  In recent years his older mobile home developed leaks that began to cause interior damage. Surviving on only Social Security and food stamps, he was unable to afford to repair his home. In September 2011 he asked the Tallahassee Fuller Center for Housing for assistance.  While his need was readily apparent, it took us nearly a year to come to his aid. This past summer, Deer Lake United Methodist Church agreed to partner with TFCH to fully fund the replacement of Lewis’ roof.

On September 15th and 22nd, volunteers from the Deer Lake United Methodist Missions Team, TFCH and members of Lewis’ family gathered to lovingly construct a new roof for his home and to modestly improve his landscaping.  At a particularly powerful dedication ceremony, Lewis expressed his love and gratitude to all those who acted as the hands and feet of Christ to help him. Recognizing the spirit of partnership upon which the Greater  Blessings Program is based, and regardless of his meager income, Lewis gratefully offered a $25 monthly gift for one year to help others in need.

The loving spirit of Lewis and all who came together on those pleasant late September days is captured in a short video prepared by Deer Lake United Methodist.  Please take a moment to watch. We are certain that you too will be blessed.

 Click here: http://deerlakeumc.org/media.php?pageID=97

On four steamy work days in August and September, volunteers from Good Shepherd Catholic Church, United Church of Tallahassee, the Deer Lake United Methodist Youth Group, Holland and Knight Law Firm and Ability First constructed a handicap ramp for Ms. Thelma Harp.  Ms. Harp, who recently has required a walker to get around, has lived in her home on Abraham Street in since 1954.  At the project dedication ceremony on Saturday, November 19, Ms. Harp expressed heart felt gratitude to all those who turned out to help her. 

On nearby Alabama Street, a large contingent of volunteers from Bradfordville 1st Baptist Church, FSU Catholic Student Union and Good Shepherd Catholic Church constructed a new roof for Ms. Janie Jiles on Saturday October 1 & 8.  The project was substantially funded by Bradfordville 1st Baptist Church.  Thank you to all of the volunteers who gave of their time and talent on those two beautiful October days.  Ms. Jiles project will be dedicated on December 3rd.  

 

 

The Tallahassee Fuller Center for Housing celebrated the completion of three Greater Blessings Projects recently.

 On September 11, we dedicated the home of Linda Andrew’s on Kittrell Road in Quincy.  The repair project, that included the construction of a handicap ramp, deck repair, siding repair and a fresh coat of exterior paint, was funded by Trinity United Methodist Church and completed in August by volunteers Trinity’s young adult ministry.  The dedication and home blessing was led by Associate Pastor Tony Fotsch.  Linda, a retired Leon County kindergarten teacher, who suffers from multiple health problems, expressed immense gratitude and told us that the help that she received was life-changing.

Also, on September 11, a wheel chair ramp constructed at the home of Mary Horn by the Bradfordville 1^st Baptist Church youth group was dedicated.  Mary, who lives on Seminole Circle in Havana, recently had back surgery and suffers from extensive nerve damage in her legs and feet.  The ramp will help Mary greatly following her next round of surgery.  In addition to Mary and members of the TFCH Board, Mary’s daughter and son-in-law were also in attendance at the dedication and home blessing ceremony.

The following weekend, on September 19, TFCH held a dedication and home blessing at the home of Diane and Clyde Young, who reside on Doonesbury Way in Tallahassee.  Diane is a full-time caregiver for her disabled 83 year old husband.  Their home required extensive repairs including a new roof, exterior door, siding repair, widening a bathroom door to allow wheelchair access and installation of a bathtub grab bar.  This was truly an ecumenical project, as volunteers from Good Shepherd Catholic Church, FSU Student Builders, Bradfordville Baptist Church and Killearn United Methodist Church and Deer Lake United Methodist Church worked on the project that was completed last spring.  Diane led us in prayer and thanksgiving and Fr. Robert Young blessed Diane and Clyde’s home.   In addition to TFCH Board members and project volunteers, members of FSU Student Builders celebrated with the Youngs.