Mountain T.O.P. was a founding member of the Reframe Association, now called the Coalition for Home Repair. Each year, the Coalition hosts a conference that offers guest speakers and breakout sessions that help nonprofits learn more about advocacy, home repair, volunteer management, fundraising, organizational development, and marketing. We are proud to be part of a national network of organizations dedicated to the repair and rehabilitation of homes across the country.

I knew I wanted to apply to summer staff years before I was even eligible. I always felt a special calling towards Mountain T.O.P. and the work we did. The experience of being a camper was so impactful for me, I wanted to do more. 

Being on staff at Mountain T.O.P. changed everything for me. As an adult camper in 2023, I was quiet, reserved, and unsure of myself and my place in the world and within my community. I spent my first semester at college trying to find people that made me feel good about myself. Then, reluctantly and last minute, I decided to apply to be on staff for summer of 2024.

Day Camp is so much more than just Mountain T.O.P.’s other program. It’s a place where kids from across Grundy County come together to grow, connect, and thrive. It’s where we work to foster confidence, leadership, love, and resilience in every child who goes through our programs. And it’s where we plant seeds of hope that will grow long after the summer ends.

At the end of each summer, we dedicate an entire day to cleaning our tool shed. It’s the hub of my summer—a place where countless projects begin and end. This year, as we counted nails, sorted screws, cleaned paintbrushes, and folded cleaning rags, I couldn’t help but think: These tools must have some stories to tell.