For more than 45 years, Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project) has offered home repair and day camp programs to individuals and families experiencing persistent poverty in Cumberland Mountain counties.

As in many rural places, fewer resources exist for older adults and community-wide issues such as food insecurity and health-related emergencies tend to overshadow older adults’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

A $20,000 grant from ENCORE Ministry this year helped increase services to that older population.

“Researchers indicate that focusing on social health determinants, such as housing and social connectedness, helps senior citizens maintain quality of life. As needs shift later in life, older adults require modifications — such as wheelchair ramps — to their homes. While some modifications are simple, others are more difficult and costly,” said Sophia Wickersham, Mountain T.O.P.’s development and marketing manager.

Mountain T.O.P. staff regularly evaluate and seek feedback from seniors requesting help with home repairs or maintenance. All of the families and individuals partnered with Mountain T.O.P. are involved — whether it’s through financial partnership, interacting with volunteers, or helping on the project.

“Our goal is to honor the dignity and value of everyone we encounter, especially those who are in a state of oppression,” said Wickersham. 

Each year, from May through July, trained summer staff assess and estimate repairs, schedule projects, and manage volunteer groups making the repairs. Summer staff also design and lead worship and devotions for volunteers as well as support a day camp program targeting Grundy County youth ages 6 – 11.

This year, Mountain T.O.P. staff members applied for and received an Older Adult Community Service Grant for $20,000 from ENCORE Ministry. The grant helped fund equitable pay levels, training, and transportation expenses for 17 summer staff.

“We decided to apply for an ENCORE Ministry grant because our summer staff greatly impact the lives of seniors in our community. In the past, peer ministries have been able to offer higher salaries and benefits. The grant allowed Mountain T.O.P. to be more in line with those ministries,” said Wickersham.

Thanks in part to the grant, Mountain T.O.P. hosted 700 campers and met the home maintenance and repair needs of 91 elderly members of the community.

The impact made by Mountain T.O.P. summer staff and volunteers was joyfully recounted by a resident:

“We greatly appreciate you coming to my mom’s house. She really enjoyed your visiting and cleaning up her yard. She was so happy to have you there and is looking forward to visiting with you again. I don’t think my mother has been that happy in forever.”