When Allyn Rippin stood before the Eatonton Putnam Tourism, Arts, and Heritage (EPTAH) committee members last Wednesday morning, she shared both her personal story and the community's mission.
Rippin was recently hired as the first full-time employee of Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN), a Greensboro-based nonprofit that celebrated its fifth anniversary in June.
The new NHN executive director explained that the organization helps families throughout Greene and Putnam counties by building and providing free beds and bedding to needy children, as well as vehicle replacements or repairs, and home repairs such as plumbing and electrical work to qualifying adults. NHN also partners with other local service-based organizations in various charitable efforts.
Essentially, NHN provides what Rippin called, “critical support in critical times” for residents of Greene and Putnam counties, primarily through its bed-building initiative.
“Getting a good night’s sleep is critical for learning, brain development, wellbeing, self-esteem — all those things,” Rippin said. “When we provide a bed for a child, it’s more than furniture; it’s dignity.”
Founded and operated by volunteers, NHN was established on the principle of providing stability during times of crisis.
“We often say we’re a hand up, not a handout,” Rippin said. “We’re there when families are just doing their best to get through, and our support helps them keep moving forward.”
The nonprofit’s clients are often single mothers, veterans, the elderly, or people living with disabilities. Partnerships make much of the work possible. For example, Rippin said that local mechanic Chris Ross refurbishes donated vehicles, allowing NHN to provide safe and reliable transportation to families.
Demand for NHN services always remains high, Rippin said; however, she emphasized that growth for NHN does not mean spreading to more counties.
“Our goal is to stay focused and do what we do well, and do more of it,” she stated.
Sustainability is key. Currently, funding comes from memberships, grants, foundations, and donations, but Rippin sees untapped opportunities in corporate sponsorships and broader community partnerships.
Events are also a vital part of fundraising. A Neighbors Helping Neighbors casino night is scheduled for Oct. 7 at Festival Hall in Greensboro, and NHN continues to encourage membership drives and neighborhood fundraisers.
Many families find NHN through word of mouth, but applications are now also available online (nhnga.org), where applicants must meet certain criteria. For example, home repair recipients must own and live in their home for at least two years and have no other realistic solution available.
NHN volunteers often rely on local schools and even bus drivers to identify children without beds. Partnerships with churches and other nonprofits help provide labor, such as for assembling bed frames.
Rippin insisted her vision is long-term.
“My hope is to be here in 20 or 30 years, making us as sustainable as possible,” she said. “We’ve already exceeded expectations in just five years. Now we want to make sure we can do this for generations to come.”
Rippin said the biggest reward of her job is the feeling she gets each time Neighbors Helping Neighbors helps someone overcome an obstacle that previously seemed insurmountable.
“I just feel so proud and happy over the sense of relief that people feel,” she said. “You can just see their body language change, that there’s dignity restored, there’s excitement, there’s a hope for the future.”
For more information about donating to or volunteering with Neighbors Helping Neighbors, or to apply for assistance, visit nhnga.org or contact Rippin directly at execdir@nhnga.org.