Drew Lewis Foundation at The Fairbanks

Drew Lewis Foundation at The Fairbanks Dr. Amy Blansit founded the Drew Lewis Foundation (DLF) at the historic Fairbanks elementary school building in 2013 in honor of her late husband, Drew Lewis.

The mission of the Drew Lewis Foundation is to educate, empower, and support underserved families through personalized programs and coaching to increase quality of life and build resilient communities. The historic Fairbanks Elementary—a former public school built in 1906—had fallen into severe disrepair. The DLF reimagined the Fairbanks building as a Community Hub housing a number of community be

tterment initiatives that work to improve the quality of life within the neighborhood. The Services & Programs Drew Lewis Foundation offers are:
- RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) — Our core program works through intensive case management and curriculum to improve sufficiency in a variety of indicators including education, employment, debt reduction, quality childcare, and parenting.
- Blue House Project (BHP) & Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) — We purchase low-cost homes and renovate them. We then select qualified members of RISE to live in the homes for a period of 2 years while they pay rent and learn about homeownership, eventually purchasing the home. Through home visits and educational curriculum, we educate on the Healthy Homes Principles and their relationship to physical and mental health of the home’s residents.
- Nonprofit Career Academy — A post-secondary education and training institute. This is a gateway for employees to enter the pipeline in the nonprofit sector and build a successful career.
- Fairbanks Community Hub — The Fairbanks Community Hub (a HUD-certified EnVision Center), brings together a multitude of service agencies, co-locating them centrally in a distressed neighborhood where their services are needed most. Interested in learning more? Feel free to message us or email [email protected]. We hope to connect with you!

BROADWAY COTTAGE COURTYARD IS ALMOST READY FOR CONCRETE! 🏗️💙And did we mention there's a PRE-SALE?! 👀 We are preselling ...
06/05/2026

BROADWAY COTTAGE COURTYARD IS ALMOST READY FOR CONCRETE! 🏗️💙

And did we mention there's a PRE-SALE?! 👀
We are preselling homes NOW!

🔗 drewlewis.org/cottagecourtyard
📩 [email protected]

Join us tonight, June 4th, at The Fairbanks Community Hub for a community favorite: Fettuccine Alfredo & Pizza! 🍝🍕There’...
06/04/2026

Join us tonight, June 4th, at The Fairbanks Community Hub for a community favorite: Fettuccine Alfredo & Pizza! 🍝🍕

There’s nothing better than gathering around the table with neighbors, friends, and family for a warm meal and great conversation. Community Dinner is free and open to everyone, and we would love to see you there!

🕔 Dinner Served: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 The Fairbanks Community Hub

Our Community Dinner is made possible by the incredible volunteers who help serve, connect, and create a welcoming environment for all. If you'd like to get involved, we'd love to have you join us!

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming the entire Springfield Way Summer 2026 Cohort to The Fairbanks Community Hub...
06/04/2026

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming the entire Springfield Way Summer 2026 Cohort to The Fairbanks Community Hub for an introduction to the Drew Lewis Foundation and the work taking place across our community.

During their visit, students learned about our mission of creating pathways to stability, opportunity, and hope through programs like:

The Blue House Project – transforming neighborhoods and expanding access to attainable homeownership.

RISE (Reaching Independence through Support & Education) – helping individuals and families achieve their goals through education, coaching, and support.

The Fairbanks Community Hub – connecting neighbors through community meals, youth programming, resource navigation, and meaningful relationships.

We were excited to share how collaboration, innovation, and community-driven solutions are helping create lasting change in Springfield. We look forward to seeing how this talented group of young leaders grows throughout the summer and the impact they will make in our community and beyond.

Thank you, Springfield Way, for investing in the next generation of leaders and for allowing us to be part of their journey!

06/03/2026

🚧 BCC Update! 🚧
The plumbing is officially in... and honestly, we never imagined we'd be this excited about pipes. 😅

It's one more big step forward for the Broadway Cottage Courtyard as this vision continues to take shape. Now we're eagerly waiting for the concrete to be poured so we can keep the momentum rolling!

Keep your eyes out for more construction updates throughout National Homeownership Month.

There's a lot happening, and we can't wait to show you what's next. 💙

Homes available for PRESALE now! Email us to learn more about Broadway Cottage Courtyard👉 [email protected]

Something powerful took root in Hannibal, Missouri!🌱In Spring 2025, the RISE Program launched its very first cohort — SI...
06/02/2026

Something powerful took root in Hannibal, Missouri!🌱

In Spring 2025, the RISE Program launched its very first cohort — SIX individuals ready to change their lives, surrounded by seven dedicated coaches, facilitators, and supporters who believed in them every step of the way!

Three participants successfully completed the full program. And for those who showed up week after week at a local church, growing closer and pushing through? Every single one of them is different because of it!

This is what community transformation looks like…

one person
one week
one breakthrough at a time!🙌

Congratulations to the entire Hannibal RISE family. This is only the beginning. ✨

Thank you to the amazing members of RUN (Resources Unlimited Network) through OACAC Ozarks Area Community Action Corpora...
06/02/2026

Thank you to the amazing members of RUN (Resources Unlimited Network) through OACAC Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation for allowing the Drew Lewis Foundation to host this month’s meeting at The Fairbanks Community Hub!

We were honored to welcome so many dedicated community partners and have the opportunity to share more about the work happening through the Drew Lewis Foundation, including our RISE Program, Blue House Project, and the Fairbanks Community Hub.

One of the most inspiring parts of the afternoon was hearing from fellow organizations about the unique ways they create hope, remove barriers, and strengthen our community every day. These conversations remind us that meaningful change happens when organizations come together, learn from one another, and work toward a shared vision of a stronger Springfield.

Thank you to everyone who attended, shared ideas, and continues to invest in our neighbors. We are grateful to be part of such a collaborative network of community changemakers.

We had an amazing time interviewing with Ozarks First for National Homeownership Month! Special thanks to their team for...
06/02/2026

We had an amazing time interviewing with Ozarks First for National Homeownership Month! Special thanks to their team for bringing two dozen donuts for our staff!

06/01/2026

What if homeownership looked different?👀

The idea behind the Broadway Cottage Courtyard started with a question Amy Blansit couldn’t shake: how do we create more opportunities for people to own a home, build equity, and put down roots in the community they love?

Today, that idea is becoming reality.💙

As we celebrate National Homeownership Month, we’re highlighting the Broadway Cottage Courtyard—an innovative neighborhood creating attainable pathways to homeownership while building connection, community, and long-term stability.

Like the Blue House Project’s work revitalizing Springfield’s Grant Beach neighborhood one home at a time, this effort is rooted in a shared belief: housing can be a catalyst for transformation for individuals, families, and entire communities.

We’re also grateful to Arvest Bank for serving as the presenting sponsor of National Homeownership Month. Their partnership is helping bring this vision to life!🙌

Throughout June, we’ll be sharing construction updates, stories of impact, and the people making it ALL happen.

Because sometimes the biggest change starts with a simple idea and the people willing to believe in it. 🏡

National Homeownership Month is HERE! 🏡Homeownership changes everything👇▪️It creates stability for families▪️ Strengthen...
06/01/2026

National Homeownership Month is HERE! 🏡

Homeownership changes everything👇

▪️It creates stability for families
▪️ Strengthens neighborhoods
▪️ Builds generational wealth
▪️ Gives people a place to truly call home

That’s why the Drew Lewis Foundation is proud to celebrate National Homeownership Month through the Blue House Project and the Broadway Cottage Courtyard—an innovative affordable homeownership community designed to create lasting opportunities right here in Springfield.

This vision is becoming reality thanks to the incredible support of our Presenting Sponsor, Arvest Bank!

Together, we’re investing in more than houses! We’re investing in people, futures, and a stronger community for generations to come.

Throughout June, we'll be sharing construction updates, stories of impact, and ways you can help bring this neighborhood to life. Our goal is to raise $55,000 to help make affordable homeownership possible for more families!💪

The future is being built on Broadway and we invite you to be part of it. 🏠✨

💙 Volunteer: https://givepul.se/syxao
💙 Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=9XRGY735UEX82
💙 Help create HOPE through homeownership!

Join us in giving the RISE Monett Team–Andrew, Carrie, and Karen––a huge THANK YOU for serving their neighbors so well i...
06/01/2026

Join us in giving the RISE Monett Team–Andrew, Carrie, and Karen––a huge THANK YOU for serving their neighbors so well in Monett through the RISE program! 💙💪

Their committment to their community is what makes this program, and positive social change as a whole, possible!

Address

1126 N Broadway Avenue
Springfield, MO
65802

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14172002223

Website

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