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COLUMBIA (WACH) - At first glance it looks like a field trip, but during the short drive to Jackie Frederick's home in Columbia you get a vivid reminder there are many people struggling to make ends meet.

Frederick's home among dozens that will be fixed up by the charity Homeworks.

Executive Director Hank Chardos leading a tour including Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and members of the interfaith and business communities.

"The purpose is to enable the community leaders, including people that come from churches, and schools to be aware of needs in the community," Chardos said.

Most of the supplies Homeworks uses are donated; that includes the time.

"We don't charge for what we do," Chardos adds.  "Our efforts are to enable the community leaders, including people that come from churches and schools to be aware of the needs in the community."

Donations are not enough; Homeworks also survives on federal community block grants.  Benjamin says budget cuts may threaten these funds.

"This is a very clear example of how your federal dollars are coming back to your community to help improve people's quality of life."

Benjamin says Homeworks also enriches the lives of young people who volunteer to fix these homes.

Mrs. Frederick's home is among 20 houses that will be repaired on April 16th, part of Homeworks one day blitz called Christmas in Columbia.