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Sharing
the joy of Serving
How 10
churches joined together to help a homeless, single-parent
family.
Olivia,
a single mother of three, was searching for a better life
for her family. On the promise of a friend, Olivia and her
children moved from Georgia to Charlotte, North Carolina.
When the promise was broken, Olivia and her family were homeless
and alone.
But all
of this changed when a social worker picked up the phone and
called Love INC.
The director
of the Love INC affiliate near Charlotte answered the call.
She put the word out to the churches in her area. Two days
later; a pastor called from a local church with great news:
they had an empty house with all utilities paid. Ten churches
joined the effort and turned this empty house into a home
with furniture, food, clothing, and toys for the children.
Since
that time, Love INC and its partner churches have connected
dedicated Love INC volunteers with Olivia and her children
- helping Olivia find a job and get a car, tutoring the children,
and offering budgeting advice. They have found extra help
for Olivia's youngest daughter who suffers from cerebral palsy.
And volunteers have led Olivia and her family to find the
love of Christ and be baptized in a church they now attend
regularly.
Trust
in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths
straight. "Proverbs 3:5-6"
Mentoring
Program Question and Answers
Q
- What are some of the requirements needed to be eligible
for the Loving Hope Mentoring Program?
A - Some of the eligibility criteria are:
- You
have a source of income.
- If
there are two adults in the home both of you are willing
to attend the program together if at all possible.
- You
will allow your finances to be monitored by your personal
budget mentor.
- You
are willing to attend the weekly one-hour group session
and the one-hour private session with your personal Budget
Mentor.
Q
- How do I register for the Loving Hope Mentoring Program?
A - Call the Love INC office and complete a verbal
intake over the telephone, (360) 424-1139. If you meet the
specified criteria you will be contacted by the Loving Hope
Mentoring Program coordinator.
Q
- How much does it cost?
A - The Loving Hope Mentoring Program is absolutely
free.
Q
- When is the class held and how long does the program last?
A - The Loving Hope Mentoring Program is held 1 to
2 times a year, but can allow a certain amount of mid term
entries during the class. Each session lasts about 6 months
and is held one night a week from 7 - 9 PM at a local church
which offers a neutral setting during which the clients and
Budget mentors meet both in a group and a one-on-one setting.
Call the Love INC office to find out the location and class
time.
Q
- I have children. Do you provide child care?
A - Yes, free childcare is available through volunteers
from our area churches, infant through twelve years old.
Q
- What if I have to work when the class is held?
A
- People who have a job working a shift that would legitimately
keep them from attending will need to speak with the Loving
Hope Mentoring Program coordinator to see if special arrangements
can be made.
Q
- What if I don't have transportation to get to the program?
A
- We may be able to arrange transportation for the client
when necessary. The client needs to call the Love INC office
at (360) 424-1139 to arrange it. Advance notice is necessary
to arrange transportation.
Q
- How long will I be able to attend these classes?
A
- The Loving Hope Mentoring Program sessions are held a couple
of times a year. The number of sessions needed for a persons
involvement will be dependent upon a variety of factors: degree
of financial difficulties, client's level of commitment, self-discipline,
and the recommendation of the Budget Mentor and Program coordinator.
Q
- What can Love INC provide me in the way of resources?
A
- Love INC has many "time & talent" resources available through
its supporting network of local churches. Following is a list
of only some of the resources that may be made available to
the client who is faithful in this program. Use of the resources
will be determined and authorized by the Loving Hope Mentoring
Program Coordinator through the Love INC office:
- Food Baskets
- Gas Vouchers
- Oil Changes
- Furniture
- Bedding, blankets
- Clothing
- Hair cuts
Q
- When will I be allowed to use these resources?
A - A client must comply with the guidelines of the Budget Mentoring Program. The resources are made available through vouchers earned by attendance at the Loving hope Mentoring Program and through ongoing cooperation with one's Budget Mentor.
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