Report from the Field Mid May 2020
Working from Home, Homeschooling and Homelessness
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!
And something was done.
COVID - 19 may have pushed fragile families onto the curb but Columbia households pushed back with resources to get them housed.
Love INC has helped Columbians work with over 30 newly homeless families and many are on the road to stability. Donors provided funds to pay hotel rent, housing deposits, purchase essential supplies, and fix cars. Volunteers made countless deliveries, prepared meals, collected and moved furniture, and located jobs and housing.
You gave us the exact resources we needed and we ran with it!
Here is what one newly housed father said: “There are no words to express how amazed and grateful we are to have our own place. People ask me how we accomplished this and I say that it was “our family” who made it possible. You have become more than friends to us. Do you think you could come to a barbecue at our house next weekend?”
Chance and Dawn called us after Chance lost his job and they could no longer pay for their room at a local hotel. They had no housing options and were concerned about the well-being of their two children, one of whom was a five-month old with a heart condition.
Strategic support to help them regain stability included: hotel rent, phone minutes for job search & essential business, car repair, utility deposit, getting their things out of storage, prayer and guidance. Chance says, “You gave us the exact resources we needed and we ran with it.” They are now settled in a home they are helping to repair in exchange for reduced rent and Chance is working two jobs, one as a fork lift operator and the other as an auto technician apprentice.
Not every COVID 19 displaced family is this far along; support is still needed.
Is there something extra you have to share?
Recent Donations outfit Homes, Change Lives
- Computers from Veterans United made it possible for two unemployed people to work from home.
- Gasoline cards helped to relocate two single mothers to live with relatives in another state.
- A washing machine helped an in-home daycare provider get ready to reopen.
- Furniture, including a bassinet and baby supplies, relieved the stress of an expectant mom moving from a hotel to an apartment
- A refrigerator allowed a homeless family to move into a “fixer-upper” situation
- Cars made it possible for two single moms to get to work.
The givers expressed as much joy as the receivers.
Sharing is the healing balm Columbia needs!
Two Condos and and Grandma's Things
A local couple came to the office 3 weeks ago to learn more about Love INC and offer help. Inspired by Love INC's transitional housing model they purchased a condo to use in the program. Last week, they started the process to purchased another! This will the Extra Mile Homes program to 6 transitional homes!
The Crossing Church Care Ministry issued a request for items to fill the homes. A family closing the home of an aging parent donated items for the home and volunteers rented a U-haul to make the move. Dana Frink helped organize the effort.
Home is where the Heart is
Transitional housing has been one of Love INC's most successful and appreciated programs. Participants, usually families with kids, stay rent and utilities free while they save for deposit and first month's rent, pay off old debt, and learn the most effective way to stretch their money. The program includes Extra Mile, a 16-week, high accountability, life-purpose and budgeting curriculum. Each week participants meet with their coach, review income and spending, and encourage one another to higher personal capacity. To date all 22 graduates of this 5-year-old program have moved from homelessness to stability and all but one remain stably housed.
A significant component in the transitional housing model is a support community for program participants. Currently 3 local churches provide this critical support. If your church or small group is interested in serving in a support capacity send us an email.