An extra hand—that’s what the People Helping People Fund lent to Nikki Murphy.

In 2024, Nikki realized her goal of becoming a homeowner last year through Habitat for Humanity of Wood County Ohio. In the final stretch of purchasing her home, the People Helping People Fund through Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) covered closing costs on the home, allowing her to save the money that she had stored to complete the purchase.

“I am so blessed that it helped me out,” she said. “I can save the money that I saved to use for my closing.”
The People Helping People Fund supports those like Nikki who are enrolled in GLCAP programs and may have needs that are not typically covered by program funds. The fund is supported through private donations. In the past, People Helping People has helped families with vehicle repairs, small medical expenses, and other emergency needs.

In Nikki’s case, the fund supported a single mother of two who, while working two jobs, sought Habitat for Humanity’s assistance in securing a more suitable home for her family. As part of Habitat for Humanity’s plan for homeownership, Nikki took part in monthly workshops as well as contributed volunteer hours to the organization. During one of her workshops, Nikki found out about GLCAP’s Financial Opportunity Center, which helps members with financial literacy education and other services. 

“My experience with GLCAP has been great,” she said. “We have done a little bit of everything like saving money, documenting monthly expenses, and deciding if [purchases are] a need or a must.”

Nikki said that her credit score has gone up about 30 points since working with the FOC program. 

When Nikki found out through the FOC that she might be eligible for support with closing costs on her home, she was not anticipating the level of support that she received.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting for GLCAP to help with all of my closing costs, but they did.”

Now in their new home, Nikki is enjoying being a homeowner and making the most of her new space.

“Purchasing a home has helped my family tremendously,” Nikki said. “From living in a two-bedroom house to moving to a house where we all have our own room gives us our own personal space. I have been waiting for this day for a long time to have my own home and decorate it how I want. My family and I are enjoying every minute of it.”

More information on GLCAP’s People Helping People Fund is available at www.glcap.org/peoplehelpingpeople.