Pillars of Pettis County doesn’t just provide a place to stay; we provide a path forward. Our program is a partnership between our organization, local families, and the community. By combining stable housing with intensive mentoring, we help our neighbors move from crisis to independence.
To ensure the best outcomes for the families we serve, we utilize a centralized referral and assessment process.
All potential participants begin their journey at Mercy Services United. They provide the initial assessment to determine if our program is the right fit for your current needs.
If referred to Pillars, we meet with the family to co-create a personalized roadmap. This plan identifies specific goals—such as career advancement, debt reduction, or educational milestones—that will lead to long-term stability.
Once a family enters a Pillars-supported property, the “work” begins. We provide the safety of a stable home while the family focuses on their growth, supported at every step by a dedicated volunteer mentor.
We believe in Self-Determination and Accountability. To remain in the program, participants agree to:
Be Gainfully Employed: Families must be currently working to maintain program eligibility.
Active Mentorship: Participants meet regularly with a program volunteer to track progress on their goal-focused plan.
Educational Growth: Residents attend life-skills and financial literacy classes to build the tools needed for independence.
Financial Contribution: Participants contribute to the cost of their housing and utilities. This “skin in the game” helps build the habits needed to transition to their own lease in the future.
Pillars of Pettis County acts as the “bridge” to ensure the success of both the tenant and the landlord:
Guaranteed Rent: We pay the landlord directly and on time every month, removing the financial risk for property owners.
Utility Assistance: We help families identify community resources to resolve past-due utilities, clearing the hurdles that often prevent people from securing housing.
Property Advocacy: We work closely with landlords and social service agencies to ensure any issues are addressed immediately and professionally.
We are currently operating through individual rental homes across Pettis County, but our capacity is growing.
The Pillars Apartment Complex. We have officially signed an agreement to begin managing a dedicated apartment complex in early 2027. This milestone will allow us to centralize our services, support more families simultaneously, and provide a stronger hub for our mentoring and educational programs.
Ready to take the first step? Click here!