AMP for neighborhoods assists 25 Council Bluffs homeowners
December 15, 2023 | TS Bank
Council Bluffs, IA, December 15, 2023 - The 712 Initiative, Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs and TS Bank are pleased to announce this year's recipients of AMP for Neighborhoods, which helps Council Bluffs homeowners complete curb appeal projects and home exterior improvements. Since the program’s inception in 2021, over 75 homeowner projects have been assisted.
Original funding came from several local businesses, and thanks to an anonymous donor the program received a major boost in its overall impact. With the ongoing partnerships and the generosity of this donor, the AMP program continued in its third year.
Individuals were encouraged to nominate themselves or a neighbor with outdoor housing needs. Additionally, neighborhoods could apply for their own block initiatives. Project requests ranged from landscaping, siding, painting, fencing, driveways, sidewalks, windows, roofing and exterior doors.
In addition to curb appeal projects, the AMP program also collaborates with the Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs home repair programming offerings, where after assessment Habitat’s construction crew may make arrangement for internal home repairs.
This year, 83 applications were received, and 25 projects were selected. Two of these homeowners included Brenda Galitz and Sue Mize who have both experienced various hardships the last several years, and the AMP program has elevated their pride in their homes.
As part of the AMP program, Brenda Galitz received a new driveway which has provided great safety.
(Before and after photos of Brenda Galitz's driveway and celebratory family cookout).
After her husband passed away, she had to navigate homeownership, decision making and the selection process on her own. The pride of owning this property brings great joy for her and her family.
Brenda recalls the specific moment she received the phone call and good news of being selected for AMP. She was spending time with her family and over the moon in astonishment. “It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. I was so surprised and overwhelmed with gratitude,” shared Brenda Galitz.
To commemorate the occasion of the new drive, she hosted a big family cookout on the new drive over Labor Day weekend. Her family enjoyed time together, sitting along the drive playing corn hole games while her grandchildren used sidewalk chalk up and down the drive to decorate and celebrate.
“I just love my little home and am so appreciative and blessed,” said Brenda Galitz. “I was so worried about my friends or neighbors falling, and now I show this new smooth driveway to everyone I can.”
Nominated by her daughters, Sue Mize received a new roof, new siding and painted trim. This has renewed the curb appeal and salvaged further water issues. Sue inherited the house after her mom passed away in a tragic car accident. With the help of the AMP program her childhood home has received several hefty repairs and allowed a reprieve in Sue’s financial burdens.
(Before and after photos of Sue Mize's home in Council Bluffs).
“The AMP program is so amazing. It’s been such a great experience and can’t say enough good things about it,” said Sue Mize. “I have to look twice when I pass by home – it’s a totally new house. I’m so glad they took a chance on me. I’m just delighted.”
The AMP program was created to help revitalize neighborhoods and positively transform the lives of individual homeowners. If you have any questions or for more information, please contact Cieandra Tripp at ctripp@the712initiative.org or 712-396-2472.
See a recent story via KMTV 3 News Now by clicking here.
About The 712 Initiative: Through effective partnerships and promotion of existing programs, The 712 Initiative place-making agency helps develop innovative solutions to strengthen the city’s downtown and West Broadway areas thus improving housing conditions, encouraging healthier lifestyle choices and making Council Bluffs a destination among residents and visitors. For more information, visit The712initiative.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs: Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs has served the community since 1993 and works hard to build strong, thriving neighborhoods and help families in need. The Habitat ReStore is a discount home improvement outlet that sells new, used, and surplus merchandise at prices 50-70% less than their retail cost and all proceeds go back to Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs. For more information, visit habitatcb.org.
About TS Bank: TS Bank’s mission is to Ignite Prosperity® in the communities it serves. Leading the resurgence of community banking, TS Bank reinvests 10 percent of their net income locally; hosting educational events and partners with local organizations and non-profits. TS Bank was chartered in 1923 and has $432 million in assets, along with the largest Iowa state-chartered C-Corp trust department west of Des Moines at nearly $267 million in assets named TS Prosperity Group. Locations include Treynor, Macedonia, Atlantic, Corning, Council Bluffs and Ames, Iowa. For more information visit tsbank.com.