A unique opportunity is coming to Clarke County residents in need of basic home repairs and those looking to serve, as over 400 youth will arrive in the area to serve with Group Workcamps, a “non-profit mission ministry of Group Cares that creates mission trip experiences to serve others in a way that transforms communities and helps participants, residents and partners grow closer to Jesus,” July 4-10, 2027.
Osceola First Christian Church pastor Danny McNeal has been active with Group Workcamps for 32 years, having taken his first group of young people on a mission trip in 1994 when he was a youth pastor at FCC. He explained Group Workcamps as an organization that partners with local communities to bring church youth groups to those communities to help address immediate needs in housing.
“They [are] primarily for the elderly, the handicapped, disadvantaged people that just can’t do the work themselves, and these young people come in with their servant hearts and their youth groups to do that work,” McNeal said. The organization also works in areas affected by natural disasters.
While this isn’t the first time Group Workcamps has been in Clarke County – they were here in 1997 with over 500 workcampers and 70 homes, 2004, and a weekend workcamp in 2016 mostly in Murray – McNeal reached out to organization to see about coming back to the area.
“Last December, I reached out to them and [said], ‘hey guys, why haven’t you been to Iowa a lot?’,” McNeal said. “And they said, ‘We should. Do you want to help do it?’”
Thus began the timer to get the project going.
Community involvement
While FCC will operate as the “host agency,” which is akin to a project manager, they are not alone in the process, as it takes more than just McNeal and FCC to run it – it takes partnerships within the community. So far, several have stepped up to get involved.
One partnership is with Clarke Community Schools and superintendent Dr. Kurt Devore, as the workcampers will be staying in the schools next summer. Another is Highway Lumber, which will be supplying materials for the different housing projects at cost. During their May board meeting, the Clarke County Development Board of Directors approved a $27,000 grant after the project was presented by McNeal.
“During our strategic planning process last November, the CCDC and community leaders identified improving our existing housing inventory and enhancing quality of life as two of our highest priorities,”, CCDC Executive Director Andrew B. Clark said. “This project brings those goals together in a remarkable way, partnering with First Christian Church, the Clarke Community School District, Highway Lumber and hundreds of student volunteers, we’re able to invest in our neighborhoods while strengthening the sense of community that makes Clarke County such a special place to live.”
Several other volunteers from the community have come forward to see how they can help and be a part of the workcamp, and offerings collected at the July 5 patriotic service was collected for the work camp.
McNeal acknowledged how great everyone he has worked with so far has been, showing that it truly takes a village.
In the coming months and weeks, several committees will be formed to make sure the week runs smoothly, such as hospitality, troubleshooting, site writing, site visit, people who are “gophers” and more.
With a max of 440 youth aged 12 to 18, McNeal said there will be chances to put money back into the local economy by having the kids attend movies and visit local establishments. Due to different ages and possible skillsets of the workcampers, it opens up more opportunities for local volunteers.
“We’ll hopefully have local help that’ll come in and help partner with those kids. Not do the work, but help teach the kids how to do the work,” McNeal said.
Application process
Click the image to open/download an application.
Even though it’s nearly a year until the work camp will take place, applications for homes are being accepted now for those who may benefit from assistance with basic home repairs. (see application form to the right)
During the week, volunteer teams are expected to complete repairs on as many as 50 to 70 homes throughout Clarke County. Projects may include exterior and interior painting, porch and step repairs, wheelchair ramps, weatherproofing, mobile home skirting and other basic home improvements that help residents remain safely and comfortably in their homes. Roofs are no longer able to be completed by the Workcampers due to liability and the amount of time they take.
Priority consideration will be given to homeowners facing financial, physical or other circumstances that make completing these repairs difficult on their own. Because each project must be reviewed and carefully planned before the volunteers arrive, residents are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Early applications allow organizers to visit homes, evaluate repair needs, estimate material costs, determine the number of volunteer teams required, and ensure enough student volunteers are recruited to complete the selected projects.
Not all work can be guaranteed to be completed, but will focus on what will mean the most to the resident. There is no cost to apply and no cost if chosen for home repairs. People can apply themselves or recommend someone else to it.
Because the work can sometimes be more than what can be accomplished in a week, McNeal said work is already being done to see how he and those with a desire to serve can help when there’s not a Workcamp or similar program.
Applications to apply for housing assistance can be received by emailing McNeal and will be at different locations around town, including the CCDC offices at 115 E. Washington St.. An electronic version is linked in this article above.
Completed applications can be mailed to:
First Christian Church – Group Workcamp
300 South Main Street
Osceola, IA 50213
Phone: (641) 342-2921
Email: dmcneal@hotmail.com
An information meeting is planned for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the First Christian Church to discuss more about the work camp.
Volunteer
For those who want to volunteer at a local level, they should contact McNeal to see how they can help. Beyond repairing homes, the goal is to transform lives, offering participants a deeper sense of purpose, empathy and spiritual connection.
“I think the work camp program to me is unrivaled in the outreach and the way that they’re able to bring those youth groups into the community, form those relationships, be the face of Christ as they serve others, loving on one another,” McNeal said. “That’s really what it boils down to, what we’re all about.”
Residents may contact First Christian Church if they have questions about the program or would like additional information before submitting an application are encouraged to contact McNeal at the contact information above.
This feature was originally published in the Osceola Sentinel Tribune
