Transformations 5-15

Transformations
A Publication of Love INC of Columbia

The Path out
of Poverty...

Transformations
A Publication of Love INC of Columbia

3 The Intersection of Needs & Resources Loving
4 The Journey Starts Here
5 Love INC Service Model The Path out
6 Cumulative Service Statistics
7 Connect and Equip The Love INC Programs
9 Coaching
11 Compass House
15 Coach Connection
17 Value of Christian Benevolence
19 Journey of Transformation
21 Sherrill: A Coach’s Journey
23 Linking for Love
26 The Largest Company in Columbia
27 Linking for Latashia
29 The Love Seat
31 How it all Started
33 How Love INC is Funded
35 Heart of Missouri United Way
36 2016 Service Statistics
37 What’s Next for Love INC?

1

Love INC of Columbia Officers 2017

Pat McMurry Executive Director
Jane Williams Program Director
Aaron Harris Operations
Mike DeSantis Mobilization
Sherri Hockett Love Seat
Mary Wardenberg Office Manager

Board of Directors President
Vice President
Greg Deline Treasurer
Pat Concannon Secretary
Rose Williams
Terry Dykes

Board Members Verna Laboy

Dave Cover

Anne Weyler Matt Gordon

Transformations Contributors

Pat McMurry Editor

Jane Williams Editor

Kate Shellnutt Christianity Today

Jennifer Truesdale United Way
Sherrill Schlimpert Contributor

Bernie Hereth Contributor
Anna Jayamanne Copy Editor

Pat McMurry Layout/Design

People Forward Scott Myers Photography

of Poverty for all of us. Brett Rawlings Illustration

Mission: Mobilize the Church to Transform

Lives and Community in the Name of Christ

Vision: The Good News of Christ nurturing a

Growing Culture of Compassion in Columbia

Love INC of Columbia
1516 Business Loop 70 West

Columbia, MO 65202
573-256-7662

www.columbialoveinc.org

2

The Path assistance are handled. Love INC exists to make this
starts here New paradigms have value accessible to those who
emerged toward what need it in Columbia. Love
at the intersection of is often called Human INC addresses informational,
needs and resources Capacity Development, relational, material, and
which means training and spiritual poverty through
It’s a busy place, teeming mentoring in new skills and volunteers, donated resources
with activity, where single abilities along with the and the love of Christ. It’s a
moms use their furniture requested assistance. powerful combination!
bank vouchers to outfit
their homes, clothe their Nearly every individual we Love INC has invested its
kids, and save money. It’s have worked with - who first 10 years developing
a place where “helpers” has made the journey from organized compassion,
and “helped” leverage poverty to self-sufficiency - programs that are visible,
donated resources and has pointed to a person who scalable, measurable and
life skills to enrich each has loved them, encouraged effective. Now we have a
other’s lives and combat them, believed in them, and business model that can
poverty. It’s a place where walked alongside them to sustain these efforts but also
someone’s used bicycle higher levels of productivity raise awareness in Columbia
provides hope for someone and flourishing. We call it,
else to get to work on ‘Loving people forward.’ about the work you are
time. And occasionally it’s Love, sacrificially offered doing, all with a view toward
a place where a church through caring volunteers, is the strengthening our most
work team “coincidentally” ‘secret ingredient’ that makes vulnerable neighbors.
appears just in time to clear Love INC more than a social
a raccoon from an anxious service agency. Transformations is a first
elderly woman’s attic. step in this direction. In this
Christian benevolence report you’ll read about
Since its founding in 2007 contributes tremendous civic journeys of those desiring
Love INC has mobilized over value to a community. One to move forward in life
1,200 volunteers who have could even say it’s God’s plan for and those energized to
provided love, information, preservation and illumination. Salt
encouragement, and and light. help by “Loving their
support to over 6,000 neighbors as themselves.”
individuals. These volunteers
- you - have helped: avert We hope you will see
homelessness, reunite them as early pioneers
families, develop work skills, engaged in an ever-
and find jobs. You’ve cried expanding enterprise of
with, laughed with and truly love. T
loved your neighbors as
yourselves. During this time
Columbia has experienced
a transformation of its
own in how requests for

3

The Love INC clearinghouse is a hub of connections for loving people forward. This is where we get to know
each other, share stories, assess needs, make a plan, provide Strategic Essentials, and offer prayer.

Anna Jayamanne (standing) Clearinghouse Coordinator
Tasha Fisher MSW (seated) Services Coordinator

4

Love |NC Service Model

5

HHoowwTThhininggssAAdddd Uupp aAttLLoovvee |INNCC

FUGNADPS

Cumulative Love |NC Service Statistics

Here’s what Volunteers and Donors have Accomplished Through Love INC!

Program 2015-16 Since Opening

Furniture (2015-16 value $104,813) 455 recipients 1,888 recipients

Side-By-Side 364 participants 823 participants

Extra Mile 16-week intensive coaching 45 participants 86 participants

Living Large for Real (2010-14) 615 participants
Transitional housing
6 families 9 families

(4-6 month rent/utilities paid housing)
Clearinghouse 986 respondents 3,680 respondents
Benevolence Funds $116,500 $257,000
Extra Mile Incentives $2,080 $42,380
Volunteers 232 1,270
Volunteer hours (est.) 20,000 89,000

Clearinghouse 2106 expenses- $143,228
Extra Mile 2016 exenses - $56,264

Gap Ministries Developed with Local Churches

Crisis Funds, Hygiene Closet, TOTs Closet, Bunk Beds, Sewing Center, Home/Lawn Care, Home Visits,
Food Delivery, Bus Passes, Laundromat Vouchers, Boone County Jail Ministry

6

Love |NC

Connecting & Coaching

The Heart of Love INC beats with a rhythm of “connect-equip, connect-equip,
connect-equip!” Nearly everything we do reflects one or both of these dynamics.

Clearinghouse This is where the journey begins at Love INC. Callers complete an extensive

intake interview, are offered prayer, and an action plan is created. Often initial
resources are provided. Callers stories are verified to assure presenting needs
are legitimate and are often given information to assist their request. When
broader requests are needed, coaching is offered to address chronic need.
This is a United Way funded program.

Side by Side

This individualized coaching program is designed for someone with multiple
needs. Side by Side pairs clients with coaches for issues like job searching,
housing searching, developing interview skills, and other single-need
coaching.

Extra Mile Extra Mile is a rewards incentivized, 16-week, full accountibility (participants
share their spending records) extended coaching opportunity. Rewards are
provided at milestones along the way. The relationships that develop during
this program often last for years! This program is also funded by United Way.

Living Large for Real is an easy access, relationship building, Thursday evening event with

breakout sessions hosted by local experts. Participants are provided transporta-
tion, childcare, a meal, and stories from folks who have made the journey from

LIVING need to independence. This program allows Love INC to assess peoples’

LARGE readiness for change while providing an engaging atmosphere where
friendships flourish!
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P rograms

Equipping & Resourcing

Love INC CONNECTS the disadvantaged to helpers and EQUIPS both groups
with training plus relational, informational, spiritual, and material resources.

The Love Seat is a resale shop which supports Columbia’s first and only furniture bank. This

“new-purpose store” is located at 19 Business Loop 70 East. The furniture
bank provides household goods, clothing and furniture for disadvantaged peo-
ple while the resale component helps fund the furniture bank and other Love
INC programs as well. The operation also provides transitional employment
training where some Love INC participants develop work skills.

Extra Mile Homes is a transitional housing program. Residents stay rent free and utilities

paid while they work to pay off old bills and save for deposit and first month’s rent.
Support from the sponsoring church, directed by Love INC’s Extra Mile program,
assists participants during their 4 - 6 month stay. Extra Mile Homes is the primary
area Love INC has targeted for expansion as affordable housing continues to be a
pressing issue in Columbia.

Bike to the Future is a Missouri United Methodist Conference partnership.

Bicycles are available for individuals assessed by the Love INC verification process
which incudes an intake interview. Bicycles are repaired by volunteers and deliv-
ered through the Love Seat. Volunteers from several churches make this unique
partnership flourish through the help of Community United Methodist Church.

First Impressions

is the clothing component of the Love Seat Furniture Bank. Clothing is provided
for those re-entering the workplace, those needing interview or work clothes,
and others enrolled in life skills programs. In addition to free clothing, the resale
store provides inexpensive and quality clothing of all kinds.

8

Extra Mile Coaching

Volunteers Change a Life

Coaches were Biggest Motivators

handling habits. “I learned to
decipher between needs and
wants. They supported me in every
aspect of my life. They were my
biggest motivators.”

It hasn’t been easy but the rewards
leave Brittany delighted. “I just
want other people to be a success.
There are so many adults who
don’t know how to budget. Once
you know (about budgeting) that’s
half the battle.”

BBrittany Crowley shares about her promotion with Dorn and Marcella Schuffman The battle’s not over yet but the
mother of two sees many more
“I accomplished things I never thought I could!” victories than defeats. She recently
received a promotion at the
Eleven months ago Brittany work promotion and a new house American Red Cross where she’s
Crowley wasn’t laughing. to her former coaches. responsible for many on-location
“Everything seemed out of control blood drives. “I came out of that
and I was losing hope,” Brittany “I wanted to learn how to budget interview feeling like a million
said. money when I came to Love INC. dollars!”
I was living paycheck to paycheck,
and whenever I had any extra On Mother’s Day she found out
money, I would buy whatever I her family could move into a
wanted. Paying for future needs house. “Our own place with four
wasn’t in the picture.” bedrooms, an acre of land, and
enough room for my dog and a
Learning that Brittany was driving coop for chickens. I can have my
on bald tires, Love INC linked her own eggs!” Brittany mused aloud.
with Firestone Complete Auto
Care, who donated four tires. Brittany’s future is much brighter
than it was a year ago. “I do have
Then she met two volunteers my head above water which is
who changed her life - Extra Mile nice, but I’d like to get my whole
coaches Dorn and Marcella torso out of water, and I’m getting
Schuman. there. It took me years and years to
get myself into this mess and it will
take years and years to get myself
out. That’s what I tell myself when I
getting down on myself.”

Yesterday the Extra Mile graduate After a month of financial tutoring, “I want to teach this class one day
smiled out loud, sharing news of a Brittany and the Schuffmans because the program is so great.
walked together for two months My kids will learn what I’ve learned
9 examining every purchase while so they won’t struggle the way I
Brittany developed better money did.” T

Extra Mile Coaching

You Did a Great Job!

Extra Mile Incentives Make the Difference

In September 2015, Connie Jenkins going to hit you up for a payment and freezes them immediately.
received more bad news than twice a month.” Amazingly, Connie lived on a $30
many people receive in a lifetime. monthly food budget. “It was hard
She was feeling complete- but I learned the difference be-
ly hopeless when Connie tween needs versus wants.”
heard about Love INC’s
Extra Mile money man- During the 16-week program,
agement program that Connie paid off three payday
included financial incen- loans. “It was great to pay off my
tives and rewards. She loans but it felt even better to get
says she knew she had an offer in the mail and imme-
to try it. “I told myself to diately tear it up!” Connie also
give up now was not an graduated from United Communi-
option. I’ve been through ty Builder’s Transformation employ-
too much already in my ee excellence program, a goal
life to quit now.” she set at the beginning of the
course.
Connie recalls that she
Candy Richerson, Extra Mile Coach
was apprehensive when
Connie completed her cancer
she met her coach, Can- treatment in April 2016 and is now
in remission. She experiences
From left, Damien Dean and Connie Jenkins dy Richerson. “We were some side effects from treatment
of United Community Builders total strangers. She was but this has not slowed her down.
Connie recently gave temporary
younger than me and she housing to a friend who is unable
to climb stairs at their own home
She learned that she had both wanted to know all my business. due to serious complications from
diabetes. “I’m only doing some-
breast cancer and type II diabetes But, her attitude, voice, and words thing that I hope someone would
do for me, I know what it’s like to
and that her car was broken down of encouragement helped me to not have someone to turn to.” T

beyond repair. She managed to agree to open up to her. I loved 10

keep working but lost hours due to to hear her say, ‘You did a great

chemotherapy and got behind on job.’”

her bills. She dipped into her 401K

to buy a car and took out a Connie says that an unexpected

payday loan to pay her utilities, benefit of the Extra Mile program

rent, and taxes on the car. was that it helped her become a

better communicator. As she met

Connie discovered that as a 55- with Candy weekly, it became

year-old single woman with a job easier for her to express herself

and no children at home, she was and interact on a deeper level.

not eligible for any type of assis- Connie says Candy’s words of

tance. encouragement and the weekly

incentives really motivated her.

“I was getting farther and farther “My budget was so tight I needed

behind. I was afraid I was going the $20 weekly incentives to buy

to lose everything. I didn’t want necessities,” Connie said.

to be homeless and hungry,” said

Connie. “Candy has also helped me learn

to stretch my dollars,” Connie said

Using payday loans only made she learned to plan menus around

things worse. “They don’t tell you items she got at local food pan-

that the interest rate is going to tries. She started purchasing gro-

kick you in the behind and they’re cery store items on sale and cooks

Allana, Compass House resident
11

Story of Transformation

Compass Church’s Compass House Demonstrates Transformation Beautifully.

In 2014, Pastor Ed Phillips of Compass Church asked Jane Williams two life-changing questions: “What is truly
needed in Columbia and what can we do to help?” She blirted out, “Transitional housing for homeless families.
Would you consider buying a house?” the described the steady stream of homeless families with children who
came to the office, and about a Love INC in Pennsylvania that has 10 houses where families are helped to
gain financial stability. Ed discussed the idea with church leaders, who in turn decided to use part of the funds
they had raised for a building expansion to buy a house. Two and a half years and a second house later, seven
families have been served by the partnership between Compass Church and Love INC’s Extra Mile Homes
program. Families in transition are provided with financial and personal coaches to help prepare them to move
into permanent housing.

The Seven Families Served Include: Resident Accomplishments Include:

• Refugee young adult siblings who • Securing reliable transportation
lost their parents in war-torn Africa (purchased car, paid off car)

• Five single moms who had become • Paying off debt (to previous landlord,
homeless utility companies, student loans)

• Two single dads facing homelessness • Starting savings account (all
(resident families include 13 children) residents!)

Samuel, Compass House Resident – “Being in the Compass House has helped us save so much money.
We wouldn’t be able to have the money to rent a house or apartment before, but now we will be ready.”

Myria, Compass House Resident - “It was healing because God made me face things I needed to face and
gave me people to face them with me. This helped me open up and learn what God wanted to teach me
and not hang on to what I thought I knew. Most importantly this program gives people a glimpse of what God
is, which is what a lot of us broken people need.”

Sharon Larson, Compass Member - “True to its name, Compass House is a place where homeless families can
find direction and new beginnings in their lives. As a financial coach, I have been intimately involved in many
aspects of the tenant family’s daily life, which builds close and caring relationships. The experience has been
eye opening, challenging, stretching and rewarding, and provides a myriad of opportunities to demonstrate
the love and grace of Christ.”

Troy Marsh, Associate Pastor - “Compass House has given us a tangible way to make a difference. Our
congregation can see that we are moving a family from homelessness together. We have now helped seven
families and excitement is growing! People are catching the wave and becoming more passionate about
it. From our volunteers’ perspective it has been pretty amazing. At least twenty-five church members have
volunteered in coaching, house maintenance, or donating items. Another cool thing is that the volunteers
are from a wide age range. We are seeing more and more people get excited. We feel we are making a
significant contribution to our community.” T 

12

Two houses changed
the lifes of seven families.

13

Columbia’s five-year Consolidated Plan for increased facilities
or homeless and near homeless have high priority says Randy Cole,
Columbia’s Housing Program Supervisor. Transitional housing is a proven
model for moving families from homelessness to self-sufficiency and Love
INC’s coaches prepare people for home ownership.

The First Compass House Team 14

Top from left: Sherry Dye, Debbie Karwoski
Front from left: Sharon Hillard, Troy Marsh, Sharon Larson, Mary Willer,
Rachael Doyle, Allana, Charlie & Judy Johnson, Roger Karwoski,
Harold Laughlin, Bill Dye and Marshall Field

Mining for Gold at Love |NC

Coach Connection

While many agree there is no silver bullet to end
poverty, we believe we have struck gold with the Love
INC volunteer model. Individuals who have been in
poverty and successfully made it to stability say that
relationships are critcal - nearly everyone referrs to a
person who made a suggestion or took an interest
in them. Love cannot be purchased and only love
can supply the often-missing component in the social
services solution.

Unintentionally but insidiously, government social
programs of the 20th century like the Great Society, undermined the very
community support structures in which they were conceived. The 21st century
result is our communities in some ways are more divided than ever. Willingness to
reach across culture is key to unraveling this issue.

When wealth disparity is increasing, polarization is the norm, and social solutions
seem elusive, Love INC creates bridges. Success is more likely when we connect
coaches and clients across different economic status, education, and opportunity.
Here’s an example from our coach training material:

One of the biggest issues facing people in poverty is that many of the children
operate as their own parents. They parent themselves and often their younger
siblings. In many instances, they act as the “parent” to the adult in the household.
Individuals who have become their own parent quite young often do not have an
internal “adult voice.” They have no language of negotiation. They also respond
very negatively to being talked to in a authoritative “parent voice” as they see
themselves as parents. You can see the implications here for conflict, for example
interacting with a negligent landlord or demanding boss.* (Portions paraphrased
from Ruby Payne, What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty.)

These challenges illustrate the need for training and encouragement for
volunteers. Coach Connection is where the rubber meets the road at Love INC.
The ability to leave poverty is less dependent on financial resources than it is on
emotional and relational resources - role models, mentors, and support networks.
People need support to:

• help persist in change
• refrain from returning to old habits
• learn the hidden rules and language of the workplace
• access information not easily available (fill out forms, apply to college)
• set and achieve goals rather than act impulsively

Coach Connection provides training, a support group, encouragement, and
a culture where “loving neighbors forward” is normal. Each month, more than
70 trained coaches gather to be inspired and encouraged by their peers and
community leaders. It’s where normal people become envisioned to become
community changers. “It really does matter what happens one-on-one. Mentoring
is key. It’s all about relationships,” explained Sherrill Schlimpert. “People in poverty
rarely have the opportunity to see the world through another lens and I never had
the chance to view the world through the lens of poverty.”

These cross-cultural connections are veins where gold is hidden, where the divine
value of people, created in the image of God, is recognized and cherished. It is
a place where all of us become richer. T

15

16

Why a Christian Approach to Fighting Homelessness Pays Off

Study: Ministries Saved Taxpayers $119 Million in 11 CIties by Offering both Housing and Healing

By Kate Shellnutt, Reprinted by permission from Christianity Today April 2017

Editor’s Note: While Love INC of Columbia does not focus specifically on chronic homelessness, this article
illustrates wonderfully the effectiveness of “Loving People Forward,” the value of committed volunteers!

napolis, Jacksonville, Omaha,
Phoenix, Portland, San Diego,
and Seattle), faith-based non-
profits were particularly effec-
tive at reducing the homeless
population, and saved taxpay-
ers an estimated $119 million
with their care and training.

When it comes to America’s home- locales have faced escalating re- “While government programs
less, Christian organizations set out strictions on homeless outreach in and public policy address
to do more than offer a hot meal and recent years, their efforts are work- homelessness directly as the
safe place to stay. They believe that ing. Researchers discovered that problem, the faith community
in order to best serve their needy faith-based organizations’ relational often sees it as symptomatic
neighbors, they must get to know approach leads to a deeper under- of moare complex personal
them. standing of the complexity of home- and societal conditions stem-
lessness and better outcomes for ming from relational poverty
“Instead of being a kitchen cook, their clients and cities. and family fragmentation,” the
you’d be out at the tables with the study concluded, comparing
people,” said Jim Reese, president Ministries provide 60 percent of their approach to a Depart-
and CEO of Atlanta Mission, which emergency shelter spots available ment of Housing and Urban
serves 1,000 homeless men, women, in 11 major American cities, and the Development program called
and children a day in its shelters, more faith-based shelters operating, Housing First. Religious nonprofits
programs, and transitional homes. the smaller its homeless population, were more likely to offer holistic care
according to a Baylor University than to focus exclusively on the issue
“How do you change lives? It comes study published last month. of housing.
from creating a relationship with
them and building trust.” In the 11 locations studied (Atlanta, Though the church has ministered
Baltimore, Denver, Houston, India- to the poor for centuries through
Though religious nonprofits in some missions organizations such as the
Salvation Army, shelters, and soup
17 kitchens, today’s evangelicals have
added “relational poverty”—a con-
cept explored in books such as
When Helping Hurts and Walking
With the Poor — as a primary con-
cern.

For example, Atlanta’s homeless
population of 88 people per 10,000
is quadruple the national average.
But the city does twice as well as

most cities at connecting the home- healing the homeless population. California church’s homeless shelter
less with shelters, according to the was condemned by local officials
Baylor study. About half of its emer- “On one hand, we have a very earlier this year over building is-
gency shelter beds are provided by significant body of empirical evi- sues with its electrical system, exits,
faith-based organizations, with Atlan- dence showing that the practice of and fire alarms. The pastor of First
ta Mission being the largest. Among one’s faith tends to protect people Southern Baptist Church in Buena
the women who enter their shelters, from harm while promoting positive Park is now filing a restraining order
8 in 10 say they have no meaningful behavior for individuals and fami- against the officials and fighting the
relationships in their lives. lies,” the study’s authors wrote. “On decision, Baptist Press reported. The
the other hand, a review of federal- building had been operating as a
That disconnection reveals they lack ly-funded studies on homelessness shelter since 1999 and housed 15
a safety net of friends and family to reveals that faith as well as marriage individuals, who now sleep in the
support them when job loss or finan- remain largely overlooked as factors church’s sanctuary.
cial desperation strikes. Their rela- that might reduce addiction, abuse,
tional poverty—combined with emo- and homelessness. This oversight These individual, grassroots efforts
tional trauma—can make it harder to is unfortunate because it largely also contribute to the wellbeing of
get or keep a job in the first place, ignores interventions or factors that a city’s homeless population. Eric
Reese pointed out in an interview might be helpful, at least in certain Bauer, executive director of Portland
with Christianity Today. That’s why populations, in addressing these Rescue Mission, told researchers:
one of the mission’s main goals is difficult social problems.”
building sustaining friendships and
communities through Bible studies
or small groups.

“In most cases, people become
homeless due to a range of complex
personal and societal factors, not just
because they cannot afford a home,”
said Byron R. Johnson, Baylor profes-
sor of social sciences and the re-
port’s lead author. “Our conclusions
demonstrate that faith-based orga-
nizations are in a unique position to
treat the systemic issues that create
homelessness to develop sustain-
able solutions for both individuals
and municipalities.”

Among the faith-based organiza- (The social support of a church This support is not just in the form
tions studied, all were affiliated with community and the commitment of tangible help like shelter meals,
a religious tradition and cited it as to family prayer, for example, have clothing and transportation, but also
their motivation for outreach; some been correlated with stronger mar- includes homelessness prevention
required or offered religious activi- riages among African Americans and through addictions support groups
ties as well. Latinos, as Christianity Today report- like Celebrate Recovery, gospel
ed last year.) transformation of individuals and
In addition to housing the homeless, families, and other unseen “leaven
researchers examined the out- Yet churches can come up against from heaven.” The cumulative impact
comes from their addiction recovery local regulations as they attempt to of these influences, which is no
programs, job training, and family minister to their city’s homeless. A doubt considerable, cannot be ade-
reunification efforts—all markers of quately represented in a study. T
personal transformation and govern-
ment dollars saved. They concluded 18
faith-based organizations are “at the
forefront of program innovation”
with their approach to helping and

I1l9lustration by Brett Rawlings

20

The Power of Encouragement

A Love INC Coach’s Journey

Q&A with Sherrill Schlimpert, time would look at me - a for- client introduced herself as a
Love INC volunteer coach mer elementary teacher - and former prostitute. I must admit I
think I had no idea of their had to take a minute to refocus
What has surprised you issues. I found that people are for I had never met anyone who
as a coach at Love INC? people and everyone responds had that experience!
to a caring ear. I have been
I felt a little insecure when I first surprised at how many people What has been uplifting
started coaching at Love INC. are truly lonely and have no one to you as a coach?
I had coached many mid- to encourage them and how
dle-class women as a private very important that becomes to It has been so encouraging to see
life coach, but I wondered if them. I can say honestly how true courage and faith in the face
people who had been through surprised I was when my first of not knowing where the next
poverty, joblessness and jail- meal is coming from, or if the elec-

21

tricity will be turned off before the
bill will be paid, or if the kids will
have shoes to start school. I have
seen how easy it is to encourage
people who never thought of their
perseverance in life and response
to hardships as courage!

To be able to be a cheerleader Sherrill and her first grade Sunday School class.
has been so rewarding. I some-
times enter a meeting wondering of having a low-paying job, get- what we can do to give back.
if I’ll be of any help at all because ting out of government housing, Social workers are often over-
I don’t have the resources to solve only to have their car break down, worked and demoralized and
their physical problems quickly – causing them to lose their job and do not have enough resources.
but seeing people respond to the fall further behind.
simplest encouragement always I have learned that programs
makes me leave feeling so glad But instead of getting involved, we like Love INC, that give a hand
I was able to provide this simple expect the government to take up instead of a hand out, that
gift. care of those in need. We don’t develop relationships and offer
realize the problems with low-in- many kinds of life skills are the
How has this experience changed come housing where landlords true hope of helping our
your outlook? don’t take care of maintenance. neighbors.
We don’t realize the challenges
Being from the middle class I for ex-felons who are determined I can remember sitting for years
didn’t always understand how to lead a good life but can’t find in adult Sunday School, talking
people could get themselves in work or housing. about how we need to help
such bad straits. It seemed simple people in need but not know-
to me to get a job and make a Most of us don’t have old friends ing where to start or how to
living. But I’ve learned that every- who pull us back into a former life even rub elbows with people
one has not had the family back- of crime. Would you feel obligated that were not in our circles
ground to be able to get the soft to friends in need, those who want without feeling very uncomfort-
skills of handling disappointment to borrow your car or get loans able. Love INC provides the
or anger, or to look ahead and when you finally have a job, in training and brings teachers
delay gratification. return for times when they have and students together.
helped you?
I’ve learned I don’t have to have It isn’t rocket science to be
a counseling degree to be able I definitely believe that this is not able to listen and support
to help pass along the wisdom a problem we need to leave to people who are trying hard to
and experiences that my parents the government. Those of us that leave poverty behind them. T
taught me to help people with an- have a good life need to see
ger and forgiveness issues, handle
dissappointment and how to start
an emergency fund.

Has this changed your heart?

I have a better understanding of
poverty and the welfare system. It
seems that so many of my peers
are critical of people on welfare.
They don’t understand the cycle

22

Linking FoLr ove

Veterans United, The Crossing host Love INC’s first citywide church event

Linking for Love was born in October, 2017 when Veterans United and The Crossing teamed

up with a core of committed volunteers to host a 400-person, 80-church gathering. We celebrated the history
of the Church in Columbia, honored the benevolence ministries that have served our neighbors for decades,
and recognized strategic collaborations that emerged into new ministries.

Our desire is for these gatherings to grow into venues where our entire community can explore best practic-
es for serving the underserved and to provide an integrated and holistic church response to our most vulner-
able neighbors.

Love INC created a toolkit of directories of churches, ministries, and collaborations. A city map identified
churches in every ward. Local challenges and vulnerable neighborhoods were outlined with a view toward
promoting new collaborations and intiaitives to serve vulnerable people. Also in the toolkit: Columbia
Churces Founding Years, Who are Our Neighbors in Need?, How to Partner, and Church Member Interest
Inventory.

If you missed this first, city-wide gathering of churches, here’s an idea of what you missed!

Conrad Hake, Associate Pastor,
Grace Bible Church
“The Toolkit is a fantastic resource,
and I know many churches and min-
istries will benefit from your work!”

Steve Hollis, Director of Human
Services, City of Columbia
“I just wanted to thank you guys for
the invitation to the Linking for Love
event. It was so well done and was
really fun. Again, thanks so much for
allowing me to be a part of it and
thanks for all that you do!”

Tim Morris, Pastor, 200 Years of the Church in Columbia! From left: Scott Claybrook, Legacy
Alive in Christ Point Church, Columbia’s newest church, listens as Dave Cover, The Cross-
“Wow…what a GREAT event Linking ing, talks about the history of Columbia’s churches with Carol McIntyre, pastor
for Love was!  Thank you for doing at First Baptist, representing Columbia’s oldest attending church.
such a wonderful job and for shar-
ing such amazing testimonies of our
Father’s love and faithfulness!  I’m
so grateful for Alive In Christ to be
partnering with you!  May we get in
the same room together to see what
happens ... soon!”

23

Rod Casey, Founder/Director, Theo- long time. The event was extremely
logical Education Institute well organized and very touching. It
“Linking for Love was a terrific, amaz- was so encouraging to worship with
ing, over the top success surpassing so many believers from different
anything I could have imagined and churches around Columbia.”
will undoubtedly have far reaching
effects for our community”. Linda Vinson,
Trinity Presbyterian, Director,
Max Jennings, Pastor, Community Bible Study
Discovery Church “It was a wonderful evening - so full
“Thank you so much for extending of joy and the victory of love in Christ.
an invitation to Annie (wife) and Thank you so much for following
me to attend the Linking for Love through and making this gathering.
banquet. Our hearts were stirred - it It was a super “upper” of an evening.

Love INC Program Director Jane Williams
& VU Faith and Community Director Matt
Gordon

David Orinder enjoyed a conversation while going through the buffet line. Love INC Executive Director Pat McMurry &
Anna Jayamanne, Clearinghouse Manager

was so good to see the camarade-
rie demonstrated by 80 churches
- the varied ethnicity - all part of the
body of Christ working for a
common cause.

It was also good to run into brothers
and sisters I haven’t seen in over 10
years. Again it moved our hearts -
stirred our souls, and blessed our
spirits.”

Charles Gholson, Elder, 2nd Baptist Pastor Clyde Ruffin prays during the evening.
Open Door Baptist
“My wife and I were able to make
it, and it was beyond encouraging.
I had no idea the magnitude of the
event. As the night went on, I saw
and talked to about 30 different
people that I have not seen in a

24

As our church prays about its vision Lauri Hamilton Meg Hegeman, Wilkes Boulevard
and niche in the community, we will Outreach Director United Methodist Church, Former Pastor
be aided by what happened last Memorial Baptist “What a fabulous event! I am deeply
Friday evening. ” “This is one of the most amazing thankful for the opportunity to attend. It
events I have ever attended. I was was an inspiring testament to the faith
Cherie Stott, Director, Center for deeply moved from start to finish. I community’s collaborative efforts in
Women’s Ministries feel so privileged to be a part of Love Columbia.”
“Everything about the evening was INC and able to contribute a tiny
Joe Bradley, Development Director
Newman Center, Daydreams Foundation
“This was an incredible evening. Thank
you so much for inviting us. My wife
and I and Father Rich had a wonderful
time. I hope you hold similar events in
the future and we would be glad to be
a part.”

Larry McDaniel,
Founder/Director Coyote Hill
“Wonderful evening and so well orga-

nized. Truly unforgettable event, and so
glad to have been included.” T

From left, Jim Beaty, The Crossing, talks with Marcus Reynolds, pastor 5th Save the date today
St. Christian and Turning Point director. From center: Ruth O’Neal, Loaves & for the 2017 Banquet!
Fishes Coordinator, Debby Graham, Broadway Christian, and Janet Schisser,
Calvary Episcopal representing Room at the Inn. Friday, October 13at The
Crossing.
amazing. I was moved to tears many drop in the bucket of what is going
times and especially when the youth on. The music and prayer at the end Watch out for details on our
brought in the chain - such a beautiful were electrifying.” website and Facebook soon.
picture of unity! I was also able to talk
with several pastors about our minis-
try and found lots of interest.”

Mike Acock, Associate Pastor,
Christian Fellowship
“Incredible evening. I cried at least
five times. So encouraging and so
much new information. Great pic-
ture of all of us doing our part. Great
interaction among pastors and such a
diverse cross section.”

Pastor Elias Eniade,
New Evangelical Anglican
“We are in the book! I could not be-
lieve we were included in the book!
Thank you so much for inviting us
and making us feel so wanted.”

Gene Bauman, Elder, Our heartfelt thanks to Veterans United and The Crossing who helped make an
Midway Locust Grove evening of fellowship and community possible for more than 400 attendees!
“I have not enjoyed myself so much in
such a long time. The joy in the room
was palpable.”

25

The Largest Company in Columbia

26

Latashia Ringold came to Love INC in 2009 from
Alabama to “start a new life.” She brought her two
young sons with her and was expecting her third child.
We have had the privilege of being a part of her story,
really God’s story, to see her move from loneliness
and homelessness, to being well-connected and
flourishing. Latashia embraced our advice to meet
new people and many people have played a part in
her success story.

Latashia Ringold and Family

Linking for Latashia

Redeemer Presbyterian church asked Love INC if
there was a family they could help and was matched
with Latashia. Church members helped her obtain a
driver’s license, first car and provided a crib and other
needed baby items. “The Pastor had just moved here
from Alabama and treated me like family.”

After Love INC helped Latashia get into an apartment, Latashia, Roger & Debbie Karwoski
Bill and Carol Paten, Love Seat volunteers from Forum
Christian, delivered furniture. “Bill was the first white man
to show me such kindness. He not only brought me a
washer and dryer, but went to the store and bought a
part to make sure it worked properly.”

27

Through attending Love INC classes, Latashia Latashia was introduced to Verna LaBoy
met several people who contributed to her life in from Urban Empowerment who became her
significant ways. Edith Prince from Russell Chapel mentor. “Miz Verna showed me how to be a
taught childbirth and infant care classes. “Miss godly woman, how to love myself. She taught
Edie taught me about proper baby care and me to stop being a victim and be a victor.”
many other things I never knew before to help
me become a better mother.” A volunteer from
Urban Empowerment taught me what to say in
a job interview and a volunteer from Fifth Street
Christian connected me with my first job.” Latashia
worked at this job for almost five years. During this
time she was able to move into a larger home.

Then Latashia hit a bump in the road when she
injured herself on the job. After undergoing surgery,
she realized she needed a new line of work.
Love INC linked Latashia to Janice Dawson-
Threat (not pictured) from Second Baptist. “Janice
helped me see that it was not too late to further my
education and that, as a ‘people person,’ certain
jobs might not be a good fit for me,” Latashia said.

Latashia was hired part-time at The Love Seat
resale store and began taking office skills classes
at Job Point. “Sherri Hockett, (above) The Love
Seat Manager, has become my second mom.”

A year later, in May 2016, Latashia experienced another life crisis. While she and her children were
returning to Missouri from her grandmother’s funeral in Alabama, a tire blew on her older SUV. The
vehicle was totaled after rolling three times but miraculously no one was seriously injured. While still
on the side of the road, Latashia’s twelve year old son, Colin, called his Pastor, D’Markus Brown, from
Convergence Church to ask for prayer. “D’Markus has become a much needed mentor to both of my
boys.”
To solve the dual dilemma of getting Latashia home and providing for her ongoing transportation
needs, God provided exactly what was needed the very same day! Julie Walker, Love INC Extra
Mile Coordinator, loaned her minivan to Sherri Hockett, who made the seventeen hour round trip
to bring her home. Within an hour of the accident, Roger and Debbie Karwoski (pictured left) from
Compass Church, came into the Love INC office to donate their Dodge Caravan. There did not seem
to be too much question as to who should be the recipient! Latashia is very grateful for this gift and is
putting it to good use. Not only does she spend hours each day driving her four children to school and
sports activities but she recently reached out to a homeless family with children who, like her, came to
Columbia to have a better life. T

28

the love seat

“Newpurpose Shop” and Furniture Bank

When Love INC started The Then two things happened. We
Love Seat furniture bank in realized how expensive it was to
2008, it didn’t take long for keep a free furniture bank going
volunteers to experience the and we started getting things the
exhilaration that comes from needy didn’t need. Our para-
turning houses into homes. On digm began to shift. What if the
one of the first deliveries, an old chandelier and ceramic bird
8-year-old boy started jumping collection the lady said we had to
up and down and exclaimed he take in order to get her beds and
had never had a bed before. chairs could be sold to put gas
Shortly after that, a single mom in the trucks? What if the make-
with no reliable transportation shift professional clothing closet
to get to a Laundromat melt- for job interview attire could be
ed hearts when she burst into merged with an organized store
tears of joy when she received a where items could be redeemed
washer and dryer. with vouchers?

Stories of eating and sleeping Phillippe Auto Body donated Love INC strives to model
on the floor, storing clothes 4,000 square feet of warehouse the self-sufficiency we call
in trash bags, and having no space in 2010 and The Love Seat our clients to through the
lamps to do homework soon resale store opened in an adja- revenue produced by the
filled minds and hearts of volun- cent space.
teers and staff. Neighbors in Growth pressure forced expan- Love Seat.
transition from homelessness, sion again in 2013 and The Love
those aging out of foster care, Seat moved into our current
and refugees, became friends location, a 10,000 sq. ft. space
as generous community dona- further west on Business Loop.
tions gave them the dignity of
furnished homes.

Bargains for a Better Columbia

29

repair lives. Refurbished bicycles roll out with owners relieved
that they can now get to work on time. Job seekers are
helped to dress for success.
A big hindrance is lack of space to store items and create
space for volunteer work stations. Frequently, donations of
items our families could use must be turned away due to
lack of space. Limited parking often frustrates shoppers and
donors. One regular shopper quipped, “This place feels a

little like heaven. I just wish we had more parking space so
we could invite more people in.”
Love INC believes that expanding itsresale shop/furniture
bank into a “storehouse for community transformation”
will be a powerful gift to our neighbors who are seeking a
hand-up and to our city as well. Love INC is making plans to
significantly expand capacity in the next several years. This is
an investment opportunity with profound potential to change
the lives of both givers and receivers!
Contact Love INC [email protected]
for more information. T

In 2016, The Love Seat became profitable for
the first time and was able to direct funds back
into the organization to support the furniture
bank and other Love INC programs.
The Love Seat is open six days a week and
teems with excitement and purpose. Donated
items are sorted and cleaned and delivered to
families in need. Volunteers repair furniture and
appliances in the same way the ministry seeks to

30

How it All Started
Power to Go to Samaria
By Jane Williams, Love INC Co-Founder & Program Director
Samaria in 1926

At Love INC, wonder has most often received help elsewhere. “What and volunteers. At the same time,
come in the form of coincidences you need is Love INC. My son is a I was involved in a door-to-door
that have caused us to gasp and pastor in Fairbanks, Alaska, and prayer ministry in Columbia’s
given us a sense that God is with us. he said it changed everything public housing and found myself
Wonder initially hooked me in and there when the churches started confronted with more aching
has kept us all going. coordinating their benevolence hearts and obvious need, than
efforts,” she said. my ministry partner, Pam Ingram,
I heard about Love INC nationally and I had ever imagined. I knew
in 2001, when our church secretary Shortly after this, I visited a Love a unified effort would accomplish
responded to my anxiety over INC affiliate in Liberty, Missouri, more and avoid duplication -
the number of financial requests and fell in love with the concept but my descriptions of Love INC
coming to the church with no way of a clearinghouse that matched seemed to produce only glazed
to verify validity or know if they had local needs with church resources looks.

31

Jane Williams Sheila Ruffin

In September 2005, Pam called That night at Second Baptist, I physically see it working and

me to tell me that Sheila Ruffin had listened to others talk about what experience the moments of
called a meeting at Second Baptist was needed and still felt myself wonder that such coordination

to rally support for Hurricane Katrina wrestling with inner objections made possible.

evacuees that were expected about lack of time and this not On the first day our

to start arriving in “God...give me the power to makeshift disaster
Columbia. Earlier recovery center

that morning, I was go to wherever would be the opened, a pregnant
reading my Bible evacuee walked in

and a certain verse wearing the same
clothing she had worn
equivalent of Samaria for me.”seemed to jump off
the page.
when she waded

It was Acts 1:8 “But you shall really being my thing. Then Sheila through floodwaters. At the same
receive power when the Holy Spirit got up and said the first evacuee time, a volunteer walked in through
has come upon you and you shall had arrived and was going to join another door and almost bumped
be witnesses to me in Jerusalem our meeting. I almost fell off my into her. The volunteer was carrying
and in all Judea and Samaria and chair when Sheila told us her first an armload of donated maternity
to the end of the earth.” I thought, name was Samaria! clothes in the woman’s exact
size. We gasped in wonder at
wow, Jesus promised power to go
to Samaria, a place that would What could I say? I was in! God’s provision. Bigger donations
have been very distasteful to his God knew that our disaster-relief of housing, rent money and
Jewish followers. I said a quick efforts would show many people furniture were matched in equally
prayer asking God to give me the the value of a central hub to “coincidental” ways and amazed
power to go to whatever would be coordinate church response to volunteers forged a development
the equivalent of Samaria for me. need. He knew we needed to team to keep the wonder going by
starting Columbia Love INC. T

32

Loving Love INC Forward
How Love INC is Funded

The idea of loving people forward works both ways to give financially make it a point to give their
at Love INC. Columbia churches, individuals, busi- unneeded gently used items to The Love Seat to
nesses, and foundations have provided the same support the work of the ministry.
type of strategic aid and relationship that Love INC
offers its clients. Community foundations have loved Love INC
forward with strategic facility improvement, equip-
Columbia’s churches initially loved our local Love ment, and trucks for furniture transportation. Thank
INC affiliate into existence and have faithfully loved you Boone County Community Trust, Boone Electric,
the organization forward by providing funds, vol- Heinkel Foundation, Stafford Foundation, Tigers On
unteers, and ‘gap’ ministries to meet the needs of the Prowl, and Veterans United Foundation.
those calling for assistance. In fact, the support the
Columbia affiliate has enjoyed from the churches A watershed moment came on October 17, 2012,
here has allowed it to grow at an unprecedented at 4:15 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon. The Heart
rate among other affiliates across the nation. A of Missouri United Way, under the initiative Commu-
third of Love INC administrative costs are covered nity Impact, awarded Love INC two grants - one for
by local churches. the clearinghouse and another for the Extra Mile
coaching program. We still talk about the feeling of
Individuals have also significantly loved Love INC going from an obscure corner of the social service
forward. It is impossible to relate all the sacrificial spectrum to credibility that afternoon. The grants
giving that has come from community members, allowed us for the first time to dedicate staff to the
many of whom are of modest means themselves. core concepts of the Love INC model. By God’s
God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in grace, four and a half years later these programs
faith and that dynamic is on salient display among are flourishing and more than 6,000 people have
some of our donors. Individuals support about a been helped.
third of our operating costs. Many who are unable

33

Program Director Jane Williams often says that The Value of
the timing of the first United Way grants were truly
a miracle for her personally. A few weeks after Community Impact
receiving the award notification, Jane became
totally blind following a failed eye surgery. “I had Love INC supports the Heart of
no idea when we got the award how much help Missouri United Way’s Community
I was going to truly need. Just before losing my Impact model that identifies and
sight, I was able to hire two people to start the assesses effective, measurable
following month. Knowing that I had to be in the goals. We work with many of the
office to train motivated me not to give up.” T recently-funded agencies that
share the same core values that
help to love people forward.

While the shift to Community Im-
pact was a challenging change for
Columbia, we salute the foresight,
leadership, and courage HMUW
demonstrated.

Thank you!

The breakdown of our income histori-
cally is roughly 30% from grants like the
United Way, 30% from local churches,
30% from individuals, and since 2016,
10% from The Love Seat.

34

Partners in the Fight to Improve Lives

Heart of Missouri United Way and Love INC Combine Resources,
Data Collection, Collaboration & Compassion to Target Solutions

By Jennifer Truesdale, Heart of Missouri United Way

For the past five While many recognize United Way for its fundraising
years, Heart of efforts to support agencies like Love INC, the year-
Missouri United round work of United Way centers on identifying our
Way has been community’s vital needs to make informed, strategic
proud to partner investments in local services and resources that will
with Love INC. make a difference. To accomplish that, United Way
Both organiza- collects data from its partner agencies about their
tions share a programs and the people they serve. This is where
vision of working Love INC excels.
to improve and
transform the lives Love INC has embraced the model of using data to
of those in need, guide decision-making. The organization is continuous-
right here in our ly improving its data measurement and program eval-
local community. uation practices in order to meet their clients’ needs
most effectively. Love INC also keeps a careful eye on
Jennifer Truesdale, United Way’s changing needs and trends in our community, and
Strategic Marketing Community remains nimble in moving its programs and services
& Communications Director Impact model of forward in new directions.
working togeth-
And, perhaps most importantly, Love INC is extremely
er with more than 30 partner agencies like Love INC collaborative, both in connecting with like-minded
agencies to achieve more than any single organiza-
revolves around tackling key barriers that prevent tion could, and in mentoring and supporting younger,
smaller organizations.
people from moving out of poverty. Four of these

obstacles are access to health, education, financial

stability and basic needs.

Love INC is unique in that it is one of just a handful of Love INC’s philosophy of “loving people forward” is
partner agencies that receive United Way support impactful because of a commitment to being adap-
for more than one of these target areas. The clear- tive, innovative and a community team player. Its
inghouse service addresses access to crucial basic dedicated and compassionate staff and volunteers
needs resources, while the Extra Mile Program works truly embody what it means to Live United and to fight
to improve income, employment and overall financial to improve lives in our community.
stability. Love INC provides these services with com-
passion, care and respect for each client it serves. Thank you, Love INC, for all you do. T

35

Look what your donations,
shopping, and volunteerism
provided for our neighbors

in Columbia in 2016!

Love Seat Furniture Bank
$65,000 in furniture
delivered to families
Direct Assistance
$45,000 in strategic funds

Side by Side
Life skills coaching 198 people

Extra Mile
Money Management 25 people

Extra Mile “Compass House” Transitional housing
Transitional housing and coaching for 6 families
Love INC Clearinghouse
Triage, resources & action plan for 300 respondents

121 Volunteers served more than 7,500 hours

Love in the Name of Christ 36
www.columbialoveinc.org

What ’s Next ?

Loving more people forward in Columbia.

Love INC’s current capacity is stretched thin. We often have to close our phone lines be-
cause we do not have the capacity to help many who are reaching out to us in their need.
We envision a day when every Columbian desiring to move forward has access to the care
that will make their aspirations reality.
The Love Seat is critical to this expansion. Our aspiration is that profits from the resale store
could support not only all operational costs but also fund other programs and assistance.

Help increase these critical resources

• Furniture Bank
• Coach training and engagement
• Transitional housing funding
• Direct strategic crisis assistance
• Availability of Love INC services to all those in need
Love INC’s organized compassion is a comprehensive, faith-community response to pov-
erty. This investment opportunity benefits Columbia, with profound potential to change the
lives of givers, receivers, and our entire community! Love never fails! I Cor.13:8 T

Photo: N3o7tley Hawkins

The Cost

Furniture Cost for a family of four $150 to clean, store and deliver donated houshold items.

Clearinghouse 2016 cost-per-intake averages $300: Includes 10-page professional
intake, verification, action plan, Side by Side coaching, first response to presenting need.
Average time investment - 17 hrs.

Crisis assistance Average amount $750: Strategically distributed for legitimate, often unex-
pected situations involving loss of health, loved one, job, transportation, or home.
Extra Mile 2016 cost-per-participant average, $1,250: Includes 16-week immersive 1-on-1
coaching, progress plan with incentives and rewards.
Average time investment - 15 hours staff, 50 hours volunteer.
Extra Mile Homes 2016 cost-per-stay average, $4,500: Includes 92 hours financial coaching,
46 hours personal growth coaching, 35 hours miscellanous volunteer support, 69 hours paid
Love INC staff support, 6 months utilities, 6 months rent, incidentals, and maintenence.

How to Donate

A monthly pledge is a great way to Share the Love with our neighbors in need!

Text Text “give” to 573-552-9222
Online www.columbialoveinc.org (click on smart giving button)
Mail 1516 Business Loop 70 West Columbia MO 65202

Volunteer: Call 573-256-7662 or email us at [email protected]

38

Love
Forward.

39
LOVE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST