Jay’s Story
How We Started
In 1992, a DuPont employee by the name of Jay Malthaner heard a presentation hosted by his church, Kennett Presbyterian. Jay knew right then that he was being called to start a similar effort—a home repair ministry—in southern Chester County.
Jay didn’t waste any time. He recruited some like-minded volunteers, and with $5,000 from a generous community member as well as some donated materials, the small team repaired several homes on East Linden Street in Kennett Square. The effort blossomed, and over the years, the call for Good Neighbors’ services stretched beyond Kennett Square into more and more communities in southern Chester County.
Another DuPonter, Bob Johnson, recognized how youth could help serve low-income homeowners, and in 1998 Good Neighbors launched a summer Youth Camp program. Hosted overnight by a local church, each year a group of 30–60 students participates in a challenging and fun week-long program of service and teamwork, repairing homes with a Christian ministry emphasis.
With their help and the help of other volunteers and staff, Good Neighbors continued to serve more and more homeowners throughout southern Chester County. Initially the organization worked under the umbrella of Koinonia House in Kennett Square, but in 2008 Good Neighbors Home Repair became an independent 501(c)(3) organization. In 2011, Jay Malthaner retired from Good Neighbors after 21 years of faithful service.
Good Neighbors’ next Executive Director, Rob Ellis, established processes and business procedures, shepherding the growth to $400,000 and about 80 homes per year.
Rob was succeeded by GN’s current Executive Director, Harold Naylor, in 2016. That year, Good Neighbors took another major step forward with the expansion of our work into northern New Castle County, Delaware.
The Good Neighbors Board of Directors—all from local churches—oversees the organization’s overall mission, budget, and business matters. In addition, an Advisory Board of friends, businesspeople, and nonprofit leaders meets periodically to offer guidance and perspective.
Good Neighbors now touches 200 families (about 400 individuals) annually. Approximately half of the homes repaired each year need “Quick Fixes”—repairs that can be done in one day. The remaining repairs can be as extensive as a new roof or an addition to a home, requiring larger investments of time and resources and involving our professional staff plus volunteers.
Over the course of a year, about 500 volunteers donate their time and energy to Good Neighbors. Some of those volunteers participate in our summer camp program, others hear about opportunities to volunteer through their churches, and others come to us through our annual Hands of Hope campaigns (one in Pennsylvania and one in Delaware), which provide opportunities for businesses and other groups to organize volunteer teams. We believe strongly in partnership and continue to build such relationships with churches, businesses, and other like-minded organizations across our communities.
At our core Good Neighbors remains a Christian ministry whose purpose is to serve and care for others through the provision of home repair, following Christ’s example and teaching on compassion. Reflecting on 30-plus years of operation, our staff and leaders are amazed by God’s provision and grateful for all He has done. In 1992 one man listened and acted on the call of God to serve his community, and we are humbled by what has grown out of that obedience. We look forward with hope in God for all He will help us do for our neighbors in the years ahead!
