"There is something I can do! Pessimism and fear need not rule the day!” This is the message we tell everyone who comes to Love Columbia to get help or give help.

In this issue, you will see how volunteers are making meaningful contributions and how your time, interests and expertise can make a difference.

Together, We Can Make Housing Happen

Teresa Snow, property owner, (left) and Pat Fowler, Mid-Missouri Legal Services attorney (right), share their expertise at our RentWell tenant training classes.

Visit lovecolumbia.org/together-we-can-make-housing-happen for an update on the challenges our Columbia neighbors are facing and how you can support them.

A Forum Christian Church life group regularly takes hot meals to individuals and families Love Columbia is temporarily supporting in extended stay hotels. The team has received rave reviews on their delicious food. They also offer prayer and encouragement and were thrilled to learn that a woman they recently visited secured a job the next day and may soon move into permanent housing.

Coaching Changes Lives (Including Your Own)

Jen works in finance and cared deeply about women’s financial empowerment, but had never coached anyone and doubted her ability. She met Amber last Spring when Amber was accidentally told to attend coach training instead of getting matched with a coach. They discovered the error and decided to pair themselves for the 16 week high accountability Extra Mile program. They completed the program in September and found the experience so rewarding, they have no intention of stopping and continue to meet to explore further finance-related topics. Jen boasts that Amber raised her credit score 200 points and eliminated all her consumer debt. Amber praises Jen for teaching her to stay within a budget, create emergency savings and have the confidence to make financial decisions.

“I realized you didn’t have to know everything to be a coach and that we could figure out some things together," Jen said. "You should never stop learning in life. My husband and I now use the budget app Amber and I found together.”

Amber shared she frequently thinks, WWJD, What Would Jen Do, when she faces financial decisions. She related, "I just enrolled in health insurance this year with full confidence because Jen broke it down to me in a language I could understand and now I am teaching it to my kids.”

Both are delighted that Amber’s 18 year old son has learned from his mother’s example and now budgets responsibly enough to do the family grocery shopping. He has even decided to major in finance in college. “It is so beautiful to see someone move from survival to thriving and understanding the why behind the spend," Jen said. "Accountability and checking in is so important. We are people who need people.”

Jen encourages others to volunteer. “I have always been in my head about ways to serve. When you find something that you are good at and that you enjoy, it becomes an outpouring. This uncorked something in me. It has been so natural and good.”

Amber encourages others to enroll in Extra Mile and remarked, “I have built financial freedom, learned confidence in my finances, built a stronger hustle. My goals are to graduate college, pay off student loans, buy a house. I want to have all the dogs possible to love with a garden and flowers and a porch swing. This program is amazing.

It will change lives and build stronger communities. Knowledge is wealth.”

Jen and Amber laughingly said they are going to start EMU (Extra Mile University) to keep the learning going as long as possible.

Ken Green, a retired social worker, started career coaching earlier this year. “I worked in the service field my whole career, and retired in 2014," Ken said. "On my 75th birthday, I realized I’m missing being with people that I enjoy working with and hearing their stories. I decided it’s time to go back. Lisa has been very helpful and encouraging.”

“I’m doing this for young people. We need to contribute to them, but they also enrich us as we give.” Ken believes, “I’m sure we have gained much in life and it’s time to give back. The reward is people come in and you learn things from them. At this age I’m learning from people who are very resilient.”

Your Hobbies and Interests Count

Brad Smith (right) reached out to Love Columbia to see how his Outlaw Rugby team might volunteer. He said, “it’s important for me to show the rugby team in a different light. Rugby can be seen as an aggressive sport, and I want the community to also see our hearts. I want to teach the players the importance of giving back and having care for the community.”

When Brad shared his love of cooking and experience making freezer meals with a nonprofit organization in Oregon, we matched him with other partners in Columbia. Polly Conner, co-founder of Thriving Home, and her husband, Austin, stepped up to help purchase the food needed for the project. Christian Fellowship Church opened their kitchen so the team could get to work. Together, this partnership has already produced more than 200 meals that have been distributed to families in need.

Brad recounted, “I have a strong background in service and understand that the need is always there in a community. I’m in the position to provide now, and want to help any way I can. The freezer meal idea bloomed from my passion of helping volunteers on holidays at homeless shelters."

"Without Love Columbia I wouldn’t have had this amazing opportunity to help the community," Brad shared. "I try my best to live with the mindset 'I get to,' and not 'I have too.' I am proud to say 'I get to' volunteer for Love Columbia and help members of the community. I would tell someone to go in and ask what the needs are. I would walk in open-minded and just be ready to step in wherever is needed.”

Love Columbia and Wilson’s Fitness Partner with Coach Kat on a Special Adult Learn-to-Swim Class

Jane Williams, Love Columbia Executive Director, teared up when she heard Coach Kat (Kathryn Fishman-Weaver) wanted to teach adults to swim. Jane shared, “Four years ago, 25 single mothers who were either unhoused or recently housed allowed us to interview them about their most pressing needs. Over two thirds reported they wanted activities to strengthen their families. Many said they wanted to learn hobbies and one woman said she wished she could learn to swim, particularly so she could be comfortable taking her kids swimming. I’ve never been able to get that request out of my head, but I just didn’t see how we could start a swim program. Then Kat walked in and I knew that woman’s cry had been heard."

To read more of the story, visit: www.wilsonsfitness.com/love-to-swim/ 

Bring a Friend - It’s More Fun to Work Together!

Julie Gladstone (left) and Kay Hake (right) volunteer together every Thursday at The Love Seat. Julie has been volunteering in The Love Seat jewelry department since she retired two years ago. Kay started volunteering six months ago after she met Julie at Wilson’s Fitness and heard about the volunteer opportunity. Kay’s background is in retail so the Love Seat has been a great fit for her skills. 

“I love when I have a new rack of clothes I just finished pricing that's getting ready to go out and someone has something in their arms that they might be buying and I’ll say, 'Oh my gosh this would go so cute with your outfit,'" Kay shared. "I help them build an outfit on a very tight budget and that is very rewarding. I love to see the joy on people’s faces when they get a good find or a cute outfit."

“There are so many different departments at The Love Seat," Julie said. "Whatever your niche is, if you want to be front end you can be up there, or in clothing or games. You can work as much or as little as you want. I love going in to The Love Seat, everyone is so welcoming and friendly. They make you feel like you are so welcome, valued, and needed. Volunteering is the best part of my week, I love it and look forward to it.”

Dana Frink (left) and Jan Verslues (right) come in every week to accept a new assignment that often involves deliveries, cleaning, organizing or whatever is needed that day. Earlier this month, Dana and Jan picked up a Bombas sock donation made possible by David Webber (middle).

Showing Up is a Big Deal

Ciara Connelly is an MU student who shows up every week to greet visitors to the Love Columbia Center. She heard a sorority sister give a presentation about Love Columbia and was moved by the stories of people receiving help. Ciara shared, “It was so moving to hear about someone’s life completely turning around because of a community who wants to do something bigger than itself. In a time when the world could use a little more kindness, volunteering is so important. I think it’s easy to get caught up in your own life and forget how fortunate you are, and volunteering has reminded me that there is always someone in need. It has shown me how being kind and giving what you can to other people when they need it most can bring even the most separated community back together.” 

Ciara encourages others to volunteer. She said, “Volunteering at Love Columbia has seriously meant the world to me. It has given me friends, mentors, and relationships that I will forever hold close to my heart. Being surrounded by people who genuinely care has been such a rewarding feeling. I will always remember my time at Love Columbia and use everything it has taught me towards being a better person.”

David Nissly, retired Methodist pastor, and his wife Linda were traveling around the country in their RV when they met some folks from Columbia and learned about the many service opportunities here. They bought a house here and show up wherever they are needed! At Love Columbia, they have served as Extra Mile coaches and class facilitators, most recently with a Good Dads healthy relationships course. 

Join Our Team or Bring Yours

Volunteer groups pictured below: Johnston Paint & Decorating and Veterans United

Find Out How You Can Volunteer Too!

Every story in this newsletter started the same way: with someone deciding to show up. A coach who was not sure she knew enough. A retired social worker who missed hearing people’s stories. A college student who wanted to give her time. A rugby team that wanted to serve together. Friends who volunteer side by side each week.

When you give a few hours of your time, you step into someone’s life at just the right moment. You offer stability, encouragement, and hope. And you may find that the work changes you as well.

We have meaningful ways for individuals, families, life groups, and workplaces to get involved. Opportunities range from coaching to organizing to greeting guests to preparing meals to helping at The Love Seat.

If you are ready to make an impact, or want to explore what might be a good fit, visit lovecolumbia.org/volunteer or email volunteer@lovecolumbia.org. We will help you find the right spot.

Support Love Columbia With a Gift

Your generosity fuels every story in this newsletter. Families are moving from hotels into homes, neighbors are finding jobs, parents are gaining confidence, and volunteers are discovering new purpose.

Love Columbia will walk alongside more than 3,500 families this year, many facing housing instability, financial stress, or sudden crisis. Your gift ensures that when someone reaches out for help, we can say yes.

Every dollar goes toward practical solutions: housing support, financial coaching, job pathways, and the relationships that hold it all together.

If these stories moved you, would you consider making a gift today?

Click the button below to give and help Love Columbia continue to Love People Forward.