As homelessness continues to affect hundreds of people in Joplin. A local nonprofit is working to provide a path towards stability for those trying to rebuild their lives. 

Vita Nova Village, a transitional housing initiative, focuses on helping individuals experiencing homelessness take steps towards independence. The project looks to create a supportive community where residents can access resources, develop life skills and eventually transition into permanent housing. 

Wendy Chrisenbery, a board member at Vita Nova Village and a Clinical Instructor at Missouri Southern State University, said she volunteers with the organization because of its mission to help people move forward. 

“I’m passionate and supportive of the mission of Vita Nova Village,” Chrisenbery said.  

She emphasizes how the goal of the village is to build transitional housing for the unhoused who are trying to make steps to become productive members of society. According to Chrisenbery, homelessness in Joplin is more widespread than many residents realize. She said estimates suggest that close to 300 people in the city do not currently have stable housing, while local shelters are unable to accommodate everyone in need. 

“They say there’s close to 300 people in Joplin that don’t have a place,” Chrisenbery said. “And our shelters don’t hold that many people.” 

For those who cannot access shelter space, options start to become limited. Chrisenbery noted that some individuals end up sleeping outdoors, often facing difficult and unsafe conditions. 

Despite the challenges, she emphasized that people experiencing homelessness are often misunderstood. 

“One of the biggest misconceptions is that people choose to be unhoused,” Chrisenbery said. “But when your basic needs aren’t being met, you’re not thinking about getting a job. You’re thinking about surviving today,” she said. 

She said many people assume that substance abuse or mental illness are the main causes of homelessness, but the reality is different. 

“The largest predictor is actually a lack of a support system,” Chrisenbery said. “Many people who struggle with addiction or mental illness are able to stay housed because they have family or friends supporting them. Without that support, it’s much easier to spiral into homelessness,” she said. 

Chrisenbery said that the daily realities faced by people without housing make it difficult to regain stability. 

“If you have no place to shower, no clean clothes and you’re afraid someone might steal what little possessions you have while you sleep, you’re not in a position to prepare for a job interview,” she said.  

Vita Nova Village hopes to address those barriers by creating a transitional community that provides both housing and practical support. In addition to housing units, the program plans to offer resources such as financial literacy education, job readiness assistance and counseling services. 

The goal is to help residents build the skills and stability needed to eventually move into permanent housing. 

“We want to help people become self-sufficient,” Chrisenbery said. “Things like learning how to open a bank account, manage finances, apply for jobs and build a sense of community,” she said. 

The organization also emphasizes the importance of community among residents. 

“Establishing a sense of community is one of the most important things,” Chrisenbery said. “People in the Village will have each other and will be able to support one another,” she said. 

Chrisenbery said hearing the stories of people who have experienced homelessness has been one of the most impactful parts of her work with the organization. During a community outreach event, one member of the advisory board shared his experience with homelessness and the challenges he faced trying to access transitional housing. 

“Hearing his story reminded me that there’s a real human being behind every person we see who is homeless,” Chrisenbery said. 

While homelessness can feel overwhelming, Chrisenbery said she remains hopeful because of the people in the Joplin community who are willing to help. 

“There are so many wonderful people in this community who want to improve the lives of others,” she said. “They’re willing to give their time, effort and resources to help another human being succeed,” Chrisenbery said. 

Construction for the first phase of Vita Nova Village is underway, beginning with three homes. The long-term goal is to expand the village to include between 13 and 16 housing units. 

Chrisenbery said community support will be essential to completing the project and expanding its impact. 

“If people are willing to donate financially, it will help us continue building the village and providing the services people need,” she said. 

For supporters of the project, the mission is simple: help people experiencing homelessness regain stability and move forward. 

“We want to give people the opportunity to succeed,” Chrisenbery said.