Nonprofit of the Year | Small: His House Foundation

Leading an all-volunteer nonprofit that works to help fill gaps for families in crisis – on top of helping run her own family’s real estate firm, Re/Max Lakeside – keeps Trina Colwell busy.

Colwell, president of His House Foundation, says she regularly shuttles back and forth in Shell Knob to her real estate office and the nonprofit’s home, a three-minute drive away at 25832 State Highway YY in a three-story former hotel. The organization, which has nearly 30 volunteers and an operating budget of roughly $225,000, has owned the roughly 25,000-square-foot facility since 2020.

His House Foundation’s signature program is its FUEL Academy, an acronym for families, united, educated and loved. FUEL is a residential life transformation and discipleship program focused on families with children. That includes offering reunification support for parents who have children in foster care.

FUEL’s offerings include dedicated case management, residential support, trauma-informed counseling, education and workforce readiness. Additionally, the organization hosts partner services on its campus to meet client needs. Those include an office for Clark Community Mental Health Center, a clothing partnership with local business Thrifty Closet and a diaper bank distribution center.

“Most of our families are referred to us from other programs where they’ve completed the substance abuse side of it, and they’re ready to change their lives,” Colwell says, adding that all clients must be substance-free to participate. “We provide them a place to refine or learn new skills to help them build a good foundation.”

The organization’s Jobs for Life program has curriculum that covers everything from conflict resolution to resume writing. Its Faith and Finance program teaches financial responsibility, including how to manage money and understand credit reports.

“While they’re learning trade skills for work, they’re learning how to manage the money they’re going to make,” Colwell says.

Around 83 families have been helped by the FUEL Academy since its start in 2019, and 95% of its graduates move into permanent housing, officials say. Additionally, 20 families have been reunified through program efforts.

FUEL participants can also have peace of mind to work, train and attend appointments without worrying about their children, Colwell says.

“We started our own daycare last year for the families in our program,” she says of converting a former classroom space on the campus.