RELATIONAL CONNECTION & ENCOURAGEMENT
Simple actions that build trust, friendship, and emotional support.
Pray daily for a Love Forward Homes family.
Send encouraging notes to a Love Forward Homes family.
Send uplifting text messages (with permission).
Invite a Love Forward Homes family to a church service or event.
Invite children to church youth activities.
Invite families to a playdate or picnic at a park.
Invite a Love Forward Homes parent to coffee and conversation.
Bring fresh cut flowers to brighten someone's day.
Drop off homemade cookies or baked goods.
Write a welcome note for new families.
Celebrate family milestone moments (new job, graduation, goals achieved).
Start a support group for moms or dads.
Introduce a new family tradition idea.
Lead a journaling or gratitude workshop.
Host a vision board night to encourage goal-setting.
Share a favorite family recipe.
Share parenting resources.
CELEBRATIONS & HOLIDAY SUPPORT
Ideas to celebrate families and make holidays special.
18. Send birthday cards to children or parents.
19. Provide a “birthday box” (cake mix, party supplies, etc.).
20. Donate holiday decorations.
21. Paint pumpkins with children in the fall.
22. Provide Thanksgiving meal supplies.
23. Provide Christmas meal supplies.
24. Donate Christmas gifts.
25. Give a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift basket.
26. Decorate shared spaces for holidays.
27. Make or donate quilts, crocheted, or handmade blankets
28. Host a monthly birthday celebration.
29. Provide Easter Baskets for children.
PRACTICAL SUPPORT & BASIC NEEDS
Meeting everyday needs that can relieve stress and create stability.
30. Provide a freezer meal for a family.
31. Provide help covering urgent basic needs
32. Provide pantry staples at move-in.
33. Donate hygiene, cleaning, and paper goods for the Essentials Closet.
34. Host a donation drive for Essential Closet supplies.
35. Provide winter coats and boots for children.
36. Provide school supplies for children.
37. Provide a calendar or planner to help with organization.
38. Clean common areas of Love Forward Homes.
39. Clean and maintain the outdoor play area.
40. Volunteer with a Good Dads class or support group.
41. Offer monthly “You Matter” care bags with notes and small gifts.
LIFE SKILLS, EDUCATION & JOB SUPPORT
Helping individuals learn and grow for long-term independence.
42. Become a financial coach.
43. Become a career coach.
44. Teach job skills.
45. Teach housekeeping skills.
46. Teach car maintenance.
47. Teach food preservation techniques.
48. Teach couponing and budgeting for groceries.
49. Help prepare for job interviews.
50. Help connect individuals with potential employers.
51. Arrange a job shadowing experience for a Love Forward Homes youth.
52. Host a "Life Hacks 101" event to share practical tips.
53. Assist with driving permit test preparation.
54. Tutor students.
55. Read to children.
56. Help a child explore and grow a special interest or talent.
57. Help families create and follow a chore chart.
58. Teach safe screen time and tech habits for kids.
HOUSING SUPPORT & TRANSITIONS
Helping families feel at home and navigate housing changes.
59. Assist with building maintenance or repairs.
60. Assist with moving into housing.
61. Provide a welcome basket at move-in.
62. Provide a cleaning kit at move-in.
63. Provide a meal on move-in day.
64. Assist with packing for a move.
65. Assist with moving out of housing.
66. Assist with cleaning after a family moves out.
67. Help families complete housing applications.
68. Offer help with home organization and decluttering.
69. Organize the Love Columbia Essentials Closet.
COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Fun ways to bring families together and strengthen community.
70. Host a game event.
71. Host a BBQ.
72. Host a craft event.
73. Host a music event.
74. Host a meal planning or cooking event.
75. Host a potluck meal or “Eat Around the World” event.
76. Host an etiquette class or event.
77. Hold a Lego building contest.
78. Start a book club.
79. Start a sewing, crocheting, or knitting circle.
80. Host a family picnic in the courtyard.
81. Organize a family game night in a shared space.
82. Plan a family-friendly movie and popcorn night.
83. Set up a free lemonade stand and connect with client families.
84. Coordinate a family fun event with other Love Forward Homes sponsor churches.
85. Host a clothing swap or free boutique with gently used items.
86. Start a weekly walking group for connection and wellness.
87. Start a light exercise class like yoga or stretching.
CHILD & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Activities and resources to connect with children meaningfully.
88. Play at the playground with the children.
89. Bring a guitar or other musical instrument and sing with the families.
90. Provide outdoor game supplies: jump ropes, chalk, bubbles, corn hole, etc.
91. Donate age-appropriate books or games for Love Forward Homes.
92. Provide childcare for parents to receive coaching.
93. Invite families to the local farmers market.
94. Offer to take family photos.
95. Provide donuts and juice/coffee on a Saturday morning.
96. Grill hamburgers or hotdogs at the Love Columbia courtyard.
97. Introduce and teach a new hobby.
98. Introduce a local community resource or service.
99. Meet at the library to introduce available resources.
100. Assist at Healthy Homes events.
101. Brainstorm more ideas!