Our Mission:
At Neighbors Eden Project, we believe strong communities are built through compassion, connection, and service. Our mission is to serve elderly and disabled neighbors by restoring dignity, safety, and beauty to their homes through free, full-service lawn care and yard restoration.Our work is built on consistency, not one-time service. Through our Youth in Action program, students show up regularly, working side by side to maintain properties, build relationships, and take responsibility for something beyond themselves. In doing so, they develop work ethic, teamwork, and character through real, ongoing commitments.
Every project is powered by volunteers, but the impact extends beyond the yard. We are strengthening neighborhoods while developing the next generation of leaders, one yard at a time.
Where neighbors are served, youth are developed, and leadership takes root.
Board Members
President
Jake Smith
Partner | Rivertree Resources
Jake Smith, a devoted family man and dedicated servant of the community, serves as the President of Neighbors Eden Project. Partner at Rivertree Resources, Jake brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role.
With a family of four, Jake understands the importance of fostering a supportive and caring environment, both within his home and throughout the wider community. He is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the lives of others, embodying the values of compassion, integrity, and service.
Driven by his faith and guided by his commitment to our Heavenly Father, Jake leads with humility and empathy, striving to create a more inclusive and nurturing community for all. Through his leadership, Neighbors Eden Project continues to flourish, touching the lives of those in need and spreading hope and kindness wherever they go.
Vice President
Steven O’Dell
SM Energy | HSE Consultant
Steven O'Dell, serves as the Vice President of Neighbors Eden Project. He brings a strong background in the oil and gas industry as an HSE Supervisor at Nine Energy Service since 2017.
Originally from Missouri, Steven relocated to Texas in 2017 to pursue his career. Despite having started college, Steven chose a different path that led him to significant professional success. Steven is passionate about helping others and believes in the principle of "what goes around comes around."
His dedication to the community is reflected in his volunteer work, where he focuses on providing support and care to those in need. In his spare time, Steven enjoys traveling, playing video games with friends, and building lasting friendships.
Secretary
Kate Valenzuela
Physical Therapist Assistant | Starcare Home Health
Kate Valenzuela serves as the Secretary of Neighbors Eden Project, bringing her expertise as a dedicated physical therapist and her unwavering commitment to serving the community. Known for her kindness and compassion, Kate is a true advocate for those in need.
With a background in physical therapy, Kate possesses a deep understanding of the importance of holistic well-being and is passionate about improving the lives of others. Her genuine desire to make a difference shines through in her work with Neighbors Eden Project, where she tirelessly works to create positive change in the community.
As a good-natured and generous individual, Kate exemplifies the values of empathy and service, inspiring those around her to join in the mission of building a more supportive and caring community for all.
Treasurer
Cloe Bretado
Accountant | David H. Arrington Oil & Gas
Cloe’ Izabella Bretado serves as Treasurer of Neighbors Eden Project, where she oversees financial reporting, budgeting, and regulatory compliance to ensure responsible stewardship of the organization’s resources.
An accountant at David H. Arrington Oil & Gas and MBA student at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Cloe’ combines her professional expertise in financial analysis and compliance with a deep commitment to community service.
Cloe’s integrity, precision, and dedication to service strengthen NEP’s mission to provide free lawn care for elderly and disabled residents across Midland.
Technology & Social Media Director
Clarissa Melise Bretado, MBA
Tax Associate | Whitley Penn LLP
Clarissa Melise Bretado serves as the Technology & Social Media Director for Neighbors Eden Project, where she manages the organization’s digital presence, website, and communications. She uses her background in accounting and analytics to bring structure, creativity, and strategy to NEP’s outreach efforts, ensuring every message reflects the heart of the mission.
A tax associate at Whitley Penn LLP in Midland, Clarissa holds a B.A. in Accounting from Texas State University and an MBA in Business Analytics from Lamar University. Her professional experience includes conducting sales tax audits for the Texas State Comptroller and working in public accounting, where she developed a strong foundation in compliance and data-driven decision-making.
Community Relations Director
Mattie Smith, MBA
Controller | Rivertree Resources, LLC
Founder | Assurance Grant Consulting Services (AGCS)
Mattie Smith is the Controller at Rivertree Resources, LLC, a privately held land and mineral company with diversified assets and non-operating interests across the Permian Basin and beyond. She brings over two decades of financial and operational experience to her work, managing complex ownership and revenue structures with precision and strategy.
In her role as Community Relations Coordinator and Co-Founder of the Neighbors Eden Project, Mattie leads outreach, partnerships, and volunteer engagement for the 100% volunteer-led nonprofit that provides free lawn care for elderly and disabled residents across Midland, Texas. Her leadership has helped the organization expand from a family initiative into a regional movement of over 250 volunteers serving more than 63+ homes annually.
A proud wife and mother of four, Mattie believes that true impact begins at home, with families and neighbors working together to restore dignity, connection, and hope in their communities.
Governance
Board OversightWho Provides Oversight?
Neighbors Eden Project is guided by a Board of Directors responsible for financial accountability, policy oversight, and long-term sustainability. The Board reviews organizational decisions, monitors risk, and ensures that resources are used in alignment with our mission to serve elderly and disabled neighbors.
Financial ResponsibilityHow We Steward Resources
As a volunteer-driven organization, we are intentional about how funds are used. Donations and grant funding go directly toward serving our neighbors and supporting program operations. Financial concerns or irregularities are reviewed at the Board level to ensure accountability and transparency.
Whistleblower PolicyReporting a Concern
We maintain a formal Whistleblower Policy to ensure concerns can be raised safely and without fear of retaliation.
Concerns may be reported:
Directly to a Board member
By email: integrity@neighborsedenproject.org
Through our anonymous submission form:
All reports are reviewed and escalated to the Board when appropriate.
Commited to accountability.
we are on candid:
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"Take a minute and imagine yourself 30 to 40 years from now..."
Neighbors Eden Project began as a dream rooted in empathy. We imagined what it would feel like to be elderly or disabled, staring at a yard we once cared for, now overgrown, and no longer within reach. This vision ignited a mission: restore dignity through service.
Our dream is simple:
To bless those who feel forgotten.
To lift burdens that feel too heavy.
Creating a community where compassion is more than just a feeling is an action.
We dreamed it. Now we’re doing it.
We’re proud to share our journey through Candid’s Silver Transparency Seal, which recognizes our commitment to transparency and impact.
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"Now this isn’t just about a tidy yard. It’s about restoring dignity, lifting spirits, and reminding our neighbors they are not forgotten."
From that dream, we got to work, literally.
We built a nonprofit that brings volunteers together every week to clean up yards, cut down brush, and trim back the weight of life’s limitations. We rely on:
Donated labor from families, students, and local leaders.
Equipment funded by community partners: from commercial mowers to safety gear.
Zero paid staff: every dollar fuels action.
Every blade cut. Every bag hauled. Every smile earned. That’s how we build.
Want to see what we’ve invested in? Check out our equipment list →
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"They grow up knowing the importance of caring for others... and they carry that forward into their own lives."
What started with one yard has grown into a city-wide mission. As we serve, we grow:
Compassion in children who work alongside their parents.
Connection in neighborhoods where isolation once lived.
Stewardship in supporters who see their giving go directly to work.
We are growing more than lawns—we're growing hearts, futures, and impact.
✅ And as a Platinum Seal nonprofit on Candid, we’re proud to grow with transparency and accountability.
