Volunteer. Donor. Neighbor.
When Nicolette Mantica and Mary Grace Mantica first volunteered with Home Repairs for Good in 2021, they were new to Indianapolis and looking for a way to feel connected to their new community.
The spouses had recently moved to Indianapolis from Cincinnati and were looking for an organization where they could give back and see the impact firsthand.
"We weren't from Indianapolis," Mary Grace said. "But we really care about the city, so we wanted to give back to the place where we're living. Volunteering has given us a greater sense of community."
What started as a volunteer opportunity with a larger church group quickly became something more. Over the past four years, Nicolette and Mary Grace have continued returning to Home Repairs for Good projects serving alongside other volunteers, meeting homeowners, and helping complete repairs that allow neighbors to remain safely in the homes they love.
For them, the most meaningful part has always been the people.
"There's always a need," Mary Grace said. "We've met so many homeowners and worked alongside wonderful volunteers. It's been incredibly rewarding."
Through each project, they saw something important: a home repair is never just about fixing a roof, replacing gutters, or improving accessibility. It is about helping someone stay connected to the home, neighborhood, and memories they have built over a lifetime.
That firsthand experience changed the way Nicolette viewed giving back.
After volunteering and seeing the impact of the work, she became a monthly donor through Home Repairs for Good's Fix It Forward campaign.
"When they launched the monthly giving campaign, we were looking for a local organization to invest in," Nicolette said. "After volunteering and getting to know the staff, we knew this was an organization making a real difference. It's a small amount of money that can make a big impact."
Monthly donors like Nicolette and Mary Grace provide reliable support that helps Home Repairs for Good plan ahead, respond to urgent needs, and continue providing critical repairs at no cost to homeowners.
"Volunteers are a big part of the solution," Nicolette said. "But supplies and materials are critical to getting projects done. Donating is a way to double your impact. You can show up and volunteer, and you can help provide the resources needed to complete the repairs."
For anyone considering supporting Home Repairs for Good, Nicolette encourages people to start by experiencing the mission firsthand.
"Volunteer on a project," she said. "When you see the impact and meet the homeowners, you understand exactly how donations are being used. You see that your support is helping people remain safely in the homes they love."
Today, Nicolette and Mary Grace represent what makes the Home Repairs for Good community so special: people who show up, people who give back, and people who believe that every neighbor deserves a safe place to call home.
Because of volunteers and donors like them, more Indianapolis homeowners can receive critical repairs — preserving independence, protecting homes, and strengthening neighborhoods across our community.
Inspired by Nicolette and Mary Grace? Volunteer. Donate. Become a monthly supporter. Every action helps keep Indianapolis neighbors safely at home.
"Donating is a way to double your impact. You can show up and volunteer, and you can help provide the resources needed to complete the repairs." — Nicolette Mantica
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