Until a few weeks ago, none of us had ever experienced a Stay-at-Home Order or, for most of us, spent so much time within the confines of our home. Suddenly, we found ourselves working from home, homeschooling kids, cleaning out closets, baking cookies and … hearing reports of Columbia families becoming homeless. Many home-bound hearts were captured.A mom with infant twins standing out in the rain. Really? Three families with five kids each forced to live in their cars. What? Three expectant mothers with nowhere to go. Oh, no! A disabled woman found crying under a bridge. Something must be done!

The first month of COVID fallout revealed many of Columbia's most vulnerable as they slipped through the cracks into homelessness. To date, Love INC volunteers and staff have assisted 28 such newly homeless families. Half of these have found permanent housing with assistance from Love INC.  Staff and volunteers provided 135 financial, employment and housing coaching sessions resulting in eight people securing jobs or better pay. Numerous people were helped to obtain unemployment, file their taxes and receive their stimulus check.

Love INC received 23 calls from literally homeless families with kids in the first two weeks of April, more than we usually receive in 2 years. We have 9 at Welcome Inn, 3 at other hotels, plus 2 (without kids) in the car camp. We have managed to move 3 families into stable housing and relocate one family out of state. Another family is scheduled to move into housing on Monday. Several of the families have so many challenges that the path to stability will take months...

These are the questions supporters are currently asking us. This week at Love INC, COVID-19’s effects are most easily seen when stay-at-home-orders put pressure on doubled-up families, (those staying with friends or family). Many are no longer welcome with their host. Monday a family of 5 came “home” to find the door locked. This family “moved into” their car, which immediately broke down. Love INC placed them in a hotel and is working to get the car repaired.

Perhaps you’ve heard the buzz surrounding the soon-to-be-opened Love Coffee Café and Bakery in local news media. Chuck Crews, Becky Llorens, and Love INC have teamed up to open a supportive employment Café focused on helping folks with barriers to employment move into the workforce. The Love My Job Training Center is the not-for-profit behind the effort. The café is located next to Love INC’s furniture bank and resale store, The Love Seat on the Business Loop, and will feature resale items and furniture along with artisan baked goods and espresso.