MATURA shows renovations at open house

The Adair County MATURA Neighborhood/Outreach Center shared all the good things they’re doing with the community at an open house Wednesday, May 31, at the center on the south side of the Greenfield square.

The open house was the first of its kind MATURA has held since the pandemic. All of its locations around the area held separate open houses as a cap to Community Action Month, a month set aside to celebrate and bring awareness to community action organizations like MATURA.

“This year, they decided we’d have open houses again, and we’re really tickled to death and thrilled with the turnout,” said Adair County Outreach Director Raedeen Bigelow. “We’re very happy all the people came to see us. The other centers had 20 to 40 people, and we had almost 90.”

The Neighborhood Center offers a little bit of everything to those it serves, in terms of services and merchandise. It offers those in need assistance with food, times of crisis, heat, water, sewer, referrals to other agencies and paperwork for federal programs, all in the name of “getting people the help they need.”

A special reason those came to visit during the open house was to see the results of a recent remodeling project in the center that was completed last fall. Thanks to American Rescue Plan funding allocated by the board of supervisors, along with several grants, the Neighborhood Center was able to lay new flooring, add central air and a new furnace, build handicap accessible bathrooms and install a new sink.

A new sign was also recently installed on the front of the center. Bigelow says that in her view, the new outward appearance of the center makes it more welcoming to those who visit, both on the interior and exterior.

With future grant funding, Bigelow would like to see additional work done to the kitchen, lighting and flooring at the center, though she said she’s very grateful for the work already done.

Jodie Hoadley, the board of supervisors representative on the MATURA board, was at the open house and said it’s nice to see all of the work at the Neighborhood Center complete.

“It’s neat to see all the work completed,” Hoadley said. “I know Raedeen appreciates this because she puts her heart and her soul into this.”

Bigelow, who has worked at the Neighborhood Center since 1976, said she is very appreciative of the generosity shown by the Adair County community toward the center. Those wanting to donate or help may contact the Neighborhood Center at 641-743-2424.

“We can’t thank people enough. If it wasn’t for the support of the community we would be hurting very badly,” Bigelow said. “People have been so generous. Every year, it amazes me.”