Neighbors Helping Neighbors, lending a hand where it’s needed most in Excelsior Springs

Excelsior Springs, Mo. – When an Excelsior Springs resident recently needed help mowing her lawn, it didn’t take long for volunteers to step up; within minutes, the job was claimed and completed. That’s the power of Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) is a volunteer-based initiative that assists eligible residents of Excelsior Springs with basic home maintenance tasks they can no longer manage due to physical limitations or financial hardship.

Laura Mize, neighborhood specialist for the city, coordinates the effort. She describes NHN as a free and intuitive program focused on “partnering the needs of some with the willing hands of others.”

“We’ve been connecting volunteers with those in need for three years now,” Mize said. “Most requests are for simple tasks like mowing, raking, hauling away brush, or helping get trash cans to and from the curb.”

Tasks that volunteers typically assist with include lawn mowing, raking leaves, trimming branches, snow removal, exterior painting, trash pickup, changing light bulbs, and replacing smoke alarm batteries. The program also helps residents keep their homes in code compliance, an important service for seniors and those with disabilities trying to maintain independence.

To receive assistance, residents must apply and be approved. Applications must include a short description of the needed task and the home’s location. Once submitted, the request is sent to a network of NHN volunteers, who then select tasks based on their availability and skill set. Most outdoor jobs are handled by one person, while indoor tasks are tackled by two volunteers for safety.

To qualify, residents must live within the Excelsior Springs city limits, own their home, be age 65 or older or have a qualifying disability, and have an annual household income under $50,000. Priority is given to those who are isolated or without access to other support.

And when a need falls outside the scope of the NHN program, such as more intensive home repairs, Mize said they partner with organizations like Rebuilding Together KC and Northland Neighborhoods, Inc., to ensure residents get the help they need.

Anyone interested in volunteering or referring someone for assistance is encouraged to contact Laura Mize at (816) 629-7011 or by email at neighborhoods@excelsiorsprings.gov.