Local non-profit receives $1,000 grant for transitional housing project

Many are aware of the growing homelessness problem in Joplin, yet few seem to know what to do about it. That is until Vita Nova Village came along.

The local nonprofit, which has been operating for just under two years, recently secured a $1,000 grant from Starbucks to help build their latest grouping of transitional homes for former homeless people. The village will sit on the 1200 block of Byers.

Rhonda Thompson, the Executive Director of Vita Nova Village, told Newstalk KZRG that the village is much more than just housing. Residents will be given the opportunity to receive vocational training, targeted schooling, and will be aided in their employment search to help provide “a productive & meaningful life.”

Vita Nova Village was started by local residents who wanted to create tangible solutions help those affected by homelessness. The organization notes they are not building a rent free shelter but rather private transition homes at greatly reduced rent.

According to their website there is an estimated average of 237 homeless people in Joplin daily with about 131 people sleeping outside nightly.