Free “A Home of Your Own” Workshop Series Coming to Joplin Starting January 15

"A Home of Your Own!" is a series of six workshops that will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 15 and running through Feb. 19 at the South Joplin Christian Church, 1901 Pearl Street, Joplin.

The workshops are being provided by the Joplin Area Long-Term Recovery’s Unmet Needs Committee, the Joplin Area Fuller Center for Housing and the Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity.

These free workshops are open to the public. The classes are designed to share information helpful to those interested in becoming first-time homeowners. Classes will also qualify for sweat equity hours for various organizations working to provide new homes in the Joplin area.

“This series is being offered to help new homeowners better understand what’s involved when owning a home,” said Janet LaFon, a family financial education specialist with University of Missouri Extension and a member of the Joplin Area Long-Term Recovery Committee (LTRC).

Class topics will include making the most of your money, home maintenance, home ownership, pride in owning a home, protecting your family and improving credit.

Participants can choose to attend one, two or up to all six of the workshops at no cost. Advanced registration is needed within one week prior to the workshop a participant wants to attend. For more information or to register, call the Joplin Area Fuller Center for Housing, 417-553-5383.

“We’re excited to be able to partner with the Joplin Area Long Term Recovery Committee and the Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity to provide these workshops in the Joplin area. We feel they will be a huge benefit for many of the new homeowners,” said Dixie Starmer, Joplin Area Fuller Center for Housing.