A Vision Leads to Hope and Dignity for Aging Homeowners

Hearts for Homes is our Non-profit of the Month for April 2025

Susan Frank saw a very clear and precise picture of Hearts for Homes in 1986. It wasn’t on a piece of paper but in a flash that came from her heart and soul. It gave her advance notice that her life would be grounded in helping others but – not just yet.

Susan’s immediate path took her to teaching kids at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, where she spent 20 years. Her husband Larry Frank was there with her as coach for the school’s newly introduced golf program. He remained in that position until 2023, where he and his student golfers won numerous titles.

Susan was happy at Liberty Christian. She was respected by her peers and loved by her students, but she knew there was more to come.

It came in 2005, when she squared her shoulders, left her steady paycheck, and made a giant leap of faith. At 51 years old, she brought to life the vision that flooded her heart in 1986.

“I had $1,000 in seed money from organizations who believed in what I wanted to do,” Susan said. “Hearts for Homes was settled on as the official name. People from school designed our logo, and I had four people lined up as part of the Board of Directors.

“We were established by spring of 2006 as a Christian-based outreach ministry providing no-cost home repairs for low-income homeowners, aged 60 and up, in Denton County.” 

More and more seniors today opt to age in place if possible, staying in their homes instead of moving in with one of their children or some form of commercial facility. Home is familiar and comforting. There’s no need to search for light switches that have been used for 40 years or more. Local businesses and services are part of the person’s established environment and, quite often, younger neighbors are cognizant of the elderly residents and check in on them.

Aging in place is a preferred option — provided that place is safe, secure, dry, neat, clean, maintained inside and out, and at least minimally attractive. Just because someone is elderly does not mean pride of ownership loses its importance.

“There’s very little that we don’t, or can’t, do,” Susan said. “We identify people who need our help through churches, local community groups, and various providers. Our typical work includes painting, caulking, roofing, plumbing, siding and yard clean-up. The mission is for the end result to offer hope and dignity for these homeowners.”

One of the truly amazing aspects of Hearts for Homes is they don’t leave after the project is finished.

“We develop close and lasting relationships with many of these people,” Susan said. “We made the decision during our early days to function as a lifeline for them. The repairs and improvements we make won’t last forever, and we want to make sure we’re on-call to return and do more.

“We served 14 senior households in 2006, and we were well over 100 in 2024. We have a list of contractors who donate materials and services. One roofing company has donated more than 50 roofs. We have plumbers, electricians, and other trades people who donate their services. This is truly amazing, especially when you assign a dollar value to these projects and realize just how much is being donated.

“I knew the first time I received a vision of Hearts for Homes, that it would be important and fulfilling beyond my imagination. I was correct. 

“We contacted SPAN when we first started and asked to put fliers in their vehicles so people could learn about us. We did the same with Meals on Wheels and other groups and services.

“We don’t make those solicitations anymore. We don’t need to because we’re given referrals from fire departments, home care services, and many others.

“So often, people who receive our services say things such as ‘Oh, I don’t deserve all this.’ I correct them immediately. I tell them they do deserve every piece of what we did because everyone deserves a safe, decent, and properly functioning place to live. Everyone deserves the human dignity God intended for them, and a large portion of that dignity comes from their homes. Hearts for Homes wants to preserve that dignity.”

Their mission is successful.

For more information, contact:

Hearts for Homes

826 E. McKinney St. | Denton, TX 76209 | 940.891.0947 | Info@HeartsForHomes.org | HeartsForHomes.org