TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) - The Center for Manifestation Church in East Tampa has provided countless resources to the Tampa Bay community for 23 years and their latest project is working to help local veterans.
In 2001, Dr. Mark Jones and his wife moved to Tampa after being assigned as the Apostle over the Center for Manifestation Church.
Jones wanted to expand beyond a spiritual impact, so they launched Manifestations Worldwide, Incorporated, which includes 15 different businesses throughout East Tampa to provide resources to families in need.
"People need food, people need clothing, people struggle sometimes to pay their utility bills, so we started the resource center," Jones said. "Kids running around they need haircuts, so we started the barbering and taking care of their hair and maintenance. We expanded to transition homes for men for women, group homes for boys, we have a fully functioning 24-hour assisted living facility for the elderly, and we have several daycare centers."
Prior to two years ago, the church had a transition home just feet away from its main building located at 3102 E Lake Ave. Behind that home was a plot of land that wasn't being used. They have now turned that land into a tiny home village for veterans.
"So many of us, we see the need, we know the need, but to really address the need someone has to do it and I think no one is better to do that than the church," Jones said.
Currently, the village is building 8 tiny homes, however, their permit allows for ten. Each tiny home is 200 sq. ft. and includes everyone one would need; a bed, a full kitchen, a wheelchair-accessible shower and full bathroom, closet space, and washer and dryer.
The goal of the tiny homes is self-sufficiency. Each veteran will be able to stay in the home for 18-24 months. The church will provide financial literacy courses, educational training, mental health classes, and other resources to ensure veterans are fully equipped after their two-year stay.
"It's just a service of kindness from our church to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy," Jones said. "Any church can do this. This is not a lot of land 50 feet wide 300 feet deep. If every church uses their extra land to do something about the affordable housing need, we could solve it."
Over the past few years, the church raised the money to fund this project. The total cost of the project is $500,000 and they need help raising $175,000 to complete the project. They have no major sponsors and only a few partners helping make this project happen.
"When we started out a long this path, we didn't have the money, we didn't know who the partners would be, all we had was a vision," Jones said.
One of those partners is the Tampa Housing Authority and HUD. Veterans can apply through HUD. The tiny homes will be available in December.