Volunteers from across the country help improve Pablo community

The sun broke out to shine on about 40 volunteers March 17 as they worked to improve the common area of the Northwoods Mobile Home Park in Pablo.

Park residents worked along side a variety of like-minded volunteers who gathered for a Resident-Owned Communities symposium that culminated with a hands-on NeighborWorks Montana outreach.

Kaia Peterson, NeighborWorks Montana Assistant Director said the five-day symposium in Missoula was the perfect place to talk about how community outreach in resident-owned communities helps solidify the connection between resident owners and their property.

The Northwoods Mobile Home Park in Pablo holds a unique designation in Lake County. The property on which it sits is owned by the residents who live there.

The Northwoods Mobile Home Park is one of six Montana resident-owned communities, Peterson said.

Julie Massa, who represents Casa of Oregon, said that she was inspired by the week-long activities as well as the Pablo visit. 

“It’s fun to get together all with the same mission to share ideas,” she said. 

Community Loan Fund of New Hampshire Co-op Operations Manager, Jeanee Wright said she would also share some of the things her Montana cohorts found successful.

Mary Sherman, Northwoods resident co-owner said she was happy to donate some time to the community.

Sherman worked side by side with other volunteers to help stain the picnic bench that will decorate her community in the future.

Under the March 17 afternoon sun, residents and volunteers worked on two projects that were both used to enhance a community-wide park area.

Volunteers created 18 stepping stones from concrete and mosaic tiles and placed a freshly-stained picnic table in the area.

Volunteers had plenty to do after they spent the morning in a symposium meeting and then rode a bus to the Pablo neighborhood. 

The eclectic blend of resident-owned community representatives from across the nation shared in the work and used the opportunity to gather ideas that they plan to take back to their own locations.

The Northwoods Mobile Home Park in Pablo is something special in Montana and something that did not happen overnight, said Peterson.

The Pablo Northwoods Mobile Home Park community-owned neighborhood began its formation when the property surfaced for sale in 2013.

That’s when the professionals at NeighborWorks Montana stepped in to help residents learn the skills they needed to form a cooperative and purchase the land below their homes.

“We help people reach their goals. It’s about empowering yourself for success,” Peterson said. 

Peterson said NeighborWorks Montana provides tools to help families succeed; they offer support and encouragement about how to overcome challenges and knowing what expenses home-ownership requires to be successful.

“We are more than setting goals, we are also building toward them, making sure they are on the right path to achieving their goals,” Peterson said.

Also on board is GoodWorks Ventures, a Montana-based funds network that helps fund investments.

As the Pablo homeowners went through the process of purchasing their land, they tapped into the lessons and experience of other peers and professionals in both agencies who walked the path before them.

One home-ownership opportunity came through a third source; the Salish Kootenai Housing Authority, which holds homebuyer education courses.

The 10-hour course takes place over the course of one day, usually Fridays, and serves to teach potential homeowners on the buying process.

The SKC course is specifically-focused on Native American homebuyers, the many challenges they face and the benefits they receive when going through the process in Indian Country.

The SKC course is for new and experienced homeowners and is taught by certified homeowner educators and other community professionals. Classes are free and open to the public and is served breakfast and lunch during the course.

For more information about NeighborWorks Montana visit nwmt.org.

For more information about the SKC home-buyers education course call 406-675-4491.