Good Neighbors Home Repair Builds a Stronger Community with Help from WSFS

After taking mission trips to West Virginia as part of the Appalachian Service Project to help repair and build homes for those in need, Jay Malthaner and his Bible study group realized those efforts could be replicated in their own communities.

Malthaner’s work was quickly noticed by other members of the community, including a similar home repair group called Good Works, and soon Good Neighbors Home Repair (GN) was born.

From that foundational work nearly 30 years ago, GN has continued to grow and support members of the community with its mission to restore hope and dignity to qualified low-income homeowners by repairing their homes.

“We continue to serve low-income families with repairs that make the home warmer, safer, drier and healthier as an expression of Christian love,” said Harold Naylor, Executive Director at GN. “Over the years, more volunteers, churches, family foundations and businesses joined in helping our efforts. Now, in our 29th year, we will repair the homes of 160 families in Chester County, Pa. and New Castle County, Del.”

“We are also starting to expand to serve families in southern Lancaster County, Pa., because there is no group doing this kind of work there currently,” he added.

As the organization has continued to grow through the years to serve more members of the community, it has received support from local organizations like WSFS.

“We are proud to support the work of Good Neighbors Home Repair in providing necessary home repairs for members of the community,” said Vernita Dorsey, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Strategy at WSFS. “This year, our Associates were able to join GN for its Corporate Build Week for the first time, but we’re no strangers to the organization. We’ve provided annual grants and our Team WSFS Associates look forward to volunteering regularly with the organization, including through our annual Take Your Children to the Community Day events.”

“WSFS has been a regular and strong supporter for nearly 10 years,” said Naylor. “We get advice and counsel from Vernita, the Bank has been a major financial donor, and Paul Greenplate, WSFS’ Executive Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management, serves as our Treasurer. We have been fortunate to host Team WSFS for volunteer events, and WSFS has been a leader in our corporate workdays called Hands of Hope.”

The efforts through Hands of Hope events and other volunteer outings have enabled GN to support hundreds of community members who lack the physical or financial means to make necessary home repairs.

“We’re always looking for more volunteers, and you do not need to be a skilled worker to have an impact in the community,” said Naylor. “We will match you with a skilled worker to provide you with a wonderful experience making a difference in the lives of people who are grateful that someone cares.”