Love INC Winter Newsletter 2022

Our Heart, Our Community

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

A Note From

Laurie Bourbonais

Executive Director

Finally, all of you, be like- minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 3:8

I am so very thankful to the faithfulness shown by this community! What a blessing to have a front row seat, experiencing churches serving our neighbors in ways that truly impact lives. The mission of Love INC, gives hope to families, those who need it the most through ministries that offer tangible help:

children's clothing, diapers, paper products, laundry help, furniture, kitchen and cleaning supplies, delivering essentials, volunteer rides, car repairs, oil changes and church food drives that are shared with other church pantries.

Observing volunteers who share their

passion for teaching, mentoring to encourage and restore lives.

In such a time as this, with the heavy burden of rising costs it is those who are already at risk that will have the biggest challenges. Yet, Gods word rings out loud and clear! Be like-minded, with our eye and heart on HIM. Be compassionate and tender,

loving one another, because He first loved us.

Be humble, in a ready state of service to others.

I experience gratefulness and hope in His word,

His Church, and in His people.

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5

New Creation Program

Meets people right where they are offering:

encouragement,

one on one mentoring,

life-skill courses,

and basic essentials.

With these tools lives are restored

One on One Budget Counseling

A New Creation participant shared how through the one on one budget mentorship process,

in just four weeks she has not only taken back control of her finances,

but is also actively making strides towards her goals.

Special THANK YOU to Grace Lutheran Church

for hosting weekly program.

NEW CREATION

A Love INC program

offering a path of hope

that fosters life change

wrapping around

individuals and families

seeking to move forward.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone, the new is here!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

Thank you to Trinity Lutheran Church for providing a meal for New Creation.

54 individuals

have participated in the

New Creation Program

in the last year.

Interested In Volunteering?

Mentorship

Weekly one on one mentorship

includes accountability as well as personal, financial and spiritual goal setting.

Course Leader

Step into the opportunity to lead a group as participants share and grow together.

Child Care Leader

While participants of the New Creation Program are involved in their classes,

their children are enjoying a fun, loving environment where they are nurtured.

Provide a Meal for the New Creation Evening

A big piece of our New Creation program is the fellowship provided from beginning the evening in a shared meal.

If you are interested in helping support this program,

we are looking for people to provide a meals.

And so much more!

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering or participating in the program, please give us a call.

(517) 552-3620

Click Here!

Clearinghouse Care Center

On average, we receive 100 care calls

a week from our neighbors

who inquire about assistance.

Their situation may be great or small.

Our staff and volunteers are equipped and ready to help!

Every call is filled with compassion, encouragement, direction,

tangible help and prayer.

As costs have been on the rise this year,

it is those who are already at risk that have

the biggest challenge ahead.

If you or someone you know needs assistance

please call our Clearinghouse Care Call Center (517) 552-3620

Interested in Volunteering?

Prayer Volunteer

Spend a few hours a week praying with those that have specifically requested prayer.

Phone Volunteer

Be the first point of contact for people calling for assistance to listen, empathize with others, record information, and offer prayer .

Receptionist

We are looking for caring, compassionate volunteers to answer phone calls and take messages.

And more!

Click Here!

Partner Churches

THANK YOU to Our Churches!

NorthRidge Church Brighton amazed us with their generosity during a food drive which they donated to the Love INC mission.

This church has such a heart for giving, which will impact lives.

Thank you NorthRidge Church Brighton!

This donation was distributed to a few of our local church food pantries:

-St. Mary Catholic Church

-St. Paul Lutheran Church

-Arise United Methodist

-Sonrise Church

-Salvation Army

Churches living out the two great commandments,

love God and love their neighbor.

A BIG THANK YOU TO

Salvation Army

for hosting the

Love INC Partner Church Gathering.

The lunch was wonderful and the information we shared about how we love and care for our neighbors was

meaningful and invaluable.

Thank you to the many churches who attended!!!

Grumlaw - Howell

Seventh Day Adventist Church - Brighton

Salvation Army - Howell

St. John the Baptist - Howell

Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church - Brighton

St. George Lutheran Church - ELCA - Brighton

Marr Community Bible Church - Howell

First United Methodist Church - Brighton

First Baptist Church - Howell

Chilson Hills Church- Howell

Oak Grove United Methodist Church - Howell

Community Congregational United Church - Pinckney

Gap Ministry Highlight

Seventh Day Adventist Brighton

Centerpointe Church Howell

CHILDREN'S BOOTS & SHOES

Ministry

THANK YOU

For your partnership and service!

We are so grateful for everything that you do to help our community.

These ministries

help our neighbors

care for their families

and provide assistance

for their children.

They throw their heart

into these ministries,

making sure that

each family receives

what they need.

Seventh Day Adventist Brighton

KID'S CLOSSET

Ministry

Community Support

Thank You!

J.Mills Plumbing

for your support!

These funds will help us continue the work of transforming lives.

Together we are making a difference in our community.

Resale Store

1225 E. Grand River Ave. Howell, MI 48843

(517) 225-5064

Store Hours: Tues. - Fri. (11:00am – 5:00pm) & Sat. (10:00am – 4:00pm)

Donation Hours: Thurs. & Sat. (noon – 3pm)

All funds that are received through the store

stay in Livingston County

to be used in the

transformation of lives in our communities.

When you shop & donate here, you are helping us

assist our neighbors.

A Love Story

Kim, the Resale Store store manager, noticed a woman shopping one day,

with the weight of the world on her face.

As she came closer to the counter, Kim noticed just how very

discouraged she looked.

When asked how she was doing,

the woman shared what was on her heart that day.

Her sister had just been given unthinkable news from her doctor,

and this woman was consumed with the thought of having to

say goodbye to her forever.

Kim asked if she could cover this woman in prayer

right there before she left,

to which the woman gladly excepted.

As prayer of healing from this pain covered

the woman and her sister,

everyone in the room was moved to tears.

After this prayer, the woman turned looking at Kim and said,

“I already know, I can feel she is better. I felt God.”

When the woman was next in the store, she revealed

her sister had beaten all odds and was doing just fine.

She shared, “I know in my heart, it was because we were praying

and God heard our prayers.”

UPCOMING SALES!

Interested in Volunteering?

Click Here!

Volunteer Highlight!

Sally - Love INC Volunteer

What does volunteering for Love INC mean to you?- I am happy to feel like I am contributing to the organization and mostly I feel like I am helping. I do a little bit of everything and I learn so much in each role.

Has Love INC impacted your personal

life? - It has given me more compassion for people and has helped me to recognize the hard work that everyone does. I have also learned about different places around me to help others.

What has made you stay for as long as you have? - I have been here for around 12-14 yrs and each time I come in, I feel like people need my help, and I'm happy to do it because it is very rewarding.

New Staff

Sandy H. - Love INC Clearing House Coordinator

Sandy first became familiar with Love INC

in the late 1990's when approached by her pastor.

Fast forward to 2021 following God's plan, she moved from

Georgia to Howell, MI. While driving and checking out the

new city she saw a Love INC sign in front of a building on

Grand River Ave. She was working for a local non-profit, helping disabled adults merge into the working world,

when she finally joined Love INC.

"I believe wholeheartedly that our community neighbors need a hand up to better their lives. That if we speak to the spirit within we can form a relationship and from there teach them to grow into all who God has intended them to be. That is what Love INC means to me. ...A ladder to our highest potential." - Sandy H.

__________________________________________

Kass O. - Love INC Developer

Kass started her Love INC journey only a couple of months ago, and through that time has been able to step into so many amazing opportunities to support the mission.

She is a senior at Cleary University this year, studying Digital Marketing and has been able to use this knowledge in our new rebranding.

We are thankful to have her on our team!

"Everyday is a new opportunity to show love in transformative ways. And to me, nothing is more beautiful than that."

- Kass O.