Community groups identify problems around them almost constantly.

It’s difficult not to see needs everywhere, even in the richest of cities. But few groups act on the need they see like New Hope the Vision Center has done.

The church saw a problem in Natchez years ago — a lack of affordable housing for families.

Sometime after the problem was brought up for discussion, church leaders and members began taking action.

In 2005 the church proposed its idea of building an apartment complex on church-owned land to the Adams County Board of Supervisors.

Work to obtain grant funding, bank loans and finalize the details has continued since that point.

Sunday the church opened the brand new apartments to the community for a bit of an open house.

Building an apartment complex is no small task, doing it with the knowledge that it won’t make a lot of money is even more difficult.

But New Hope wanted to make a difference in the community, and the church is well on its way to doing so.

We hope other community groups can follow New Hope’s lead and begin undertaking real projects instead of just identifying problems.

In the meantime, thanks to the church for truly giving members of our community new hope.