Christy and Tommy Taylor are raising their five grandchildren under age 7 on 2 acres of their own land, surrounded by other relatives.
Their mobile home, originally purchased for Christy Taylor’s great grandfather, was too small for seven people. It needed repairs and updates that exceeded the couple’s means. Both have serious health issues and couldn’t undertake the work on their own. While local resources exist to help cover home repairs, most agencies won’t work on older mobile homes.
One exception is Emmanuel’s Hammer, a faith-based home-preservation nonprofit serving Greenville, Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties. Founded in 2004 as Missionary Supply Network, it initially provided disaster relief in the Bahamas following Hurricane Frances and in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina before turning to projects closer to home.
“The basic premise of what we do has not changed,” said K.C. Carter, founder and executive director. “We go where the Lord has led, where we felt we could best utilize the resources provided to us. We have so many families living below the poverty line in unsafe conditions right here in the Upstate. We’re keeping folks in their homes so they don’t become homeless.”
Emmanuel’s Hammer repaired the Taylors’ roof, then restored two bedrooms and created a new one by adding a wall. They installed new plumbing, cabinets and countertops in the kitchen, enclosed a porch to provide additional living space, replaced windows and completed other repairs, all within a budget of $8,200.
Christy Taylor described Emmanuel’s Hammer as “a blessing,” and said she’s most excited about having a separate bedroom for herself and her husband. They had been sharing the living room with their grandson, who now has his own room. She’s grateful for the work that allowed them to remain in their home.
“It’s important to me to raise these children here where they can see their Papa, aunts and cousins,” Taylor said.
Emmanuel’s Hammer serves clients living on less than 50% of the local area median income, prioritizing issues impacting safety, health and security. The group’s impact has grown in recent years, from helping 32 families in 2021 to 56 in 2023. Since adding a new project coordinator in November last year, the group is on target to serve 100 families in 2024.
“Before, we were able to help only the most urgent cases,” Carter said. “With the added person, we can also address handyman projects like handrails, floor boards and window replacement.”
Funding for projects comes from individual, church and corporate donors. With only three full-time employees and a part-time intake specialist, the nonprofit relies largely on volunteer labor and donated materials. It provides an estimated $3 in value for every dollar given. Contributions and volunteers are always welcome.
The Community Foundation of Greenville recently made an unrestricted grant of $2,500 to Emmanuel’s Hammer.
“We have 180 families on our waiting list right now,” Carter said. “There’s just so much need, and so much work we feel like the Lord’s leading us to do.”
For more information, visit ehammer1.org.
