City of Midwest City

Last year, the City of Midwest City Neighborhood Services Department, together with LifeChurch.tv of Midwest City, developed a program known as “Restore Midwest City (MWC)”. The objective is to provide aid to home-owners in MWC facing potential city citations due to home code violations they are unable to repair themselves. Restore MWC provides an opportunity for church groups, local organizations and residents with a desire to serve the community to come together for the common good of helping fellow neighbors with a need.

In the past, volunteer groups would assist with neighborhood projects through the Operation Paintbrush program, which would provide supplies to complete the needed tasks at hand. Recently, the Catholic Heart Ministries provided teams of youth mission groups to work together on projects throughout Midwest City. Though this effort was effective and provided much aid, it usually only occurs one week out of each year. Therefore, projects needing immediate attention could face long periods of wait time to receive aid, without the assistance of local organizations or groups.

Because of this, LifeChurch.tv saw a great need and together with the Neighborhood Services Department, created Restore MWC. On April 24th, 2012 a luncheon was hosted at Midwest Regional Medical Center where the base camp website for the program was launched. The website provides the necessary information for organizations who wish to assist to review potential projects, learn what is needed and what is supplied and decided when and where they can take action. You must have a username and password to visit the site for the privacy of the individuals needing service.

“Restore MWC helps people who cannot afford the necessary labor to repair their homes. As a result, the program helps in reducing city citations and helping out senior citizens, single mothers, physically challenged and other residents seeking home repairs but unable to complete them alone. More and more people are getting involved and this really has the potential to make a strong impact on the city,” said Shane Barnard, Neighborhood Services Code Officer.

This year, Restore MWC received a grant from the Midwest City Hospital Authority Trust for $20,000 which allowed them to create the “Green Machine”. The Green Machine is a trailer available for volunteer groups to use in assisting citizens with their home repairs. It is equipped with lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and other lawn care items to use during their service projects. The equipment is currently available for use, with the trailer undergoing the last build out procedures.

If your group or organizations would like more information about Restore MWC, please contact the Neighborhood Services Department at 405.739.1005.