When we reflect on 2024 at Love Columbia, we're struck by how every act of giving creates ripples that transform lives in ways we could never predict. At our Love Forward Homes groundbreaking in October, Mayor Buffaloe described it as "a perfect example of public, private, and faith-based communities coming together."

The numbers tell part of our story: In 2024, we served 2,844 clients enrolled in Love Columbia programs, provided 4,362 coaching sessions, and helped 188 unhoused families move into permanent housing. But the real impact lies in the individual stories of transformation that unfold every day at Love Columbia.

Take Tamera, who came to us needing car repairs she couldn't afford. "Who knew a car repair would change my life?" she told us later. Through our Extra Mile program, she not only got her car fixed but also gained financial coaching that helped her raise her credit score by 100 points. "I'm not as broke as I thought I was," she discovered. "Now when I get paid, I'm okay. I don't have anxiety attacks because I'm paying bills on time instead of waiting on disconnect notices."

Our donors' support extends far beyond material assistance. This year, we've seen extraordinary outcomes from our Extra Mile financial coaching program, where participants saved or paid off $80,560 in debt. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, we launched our Employment Opportunity Fund to help people overcome barriers to career advancement. In addition, we have accompanied many of our neighbors to their journey to housing stability and advancement. We trained 69 prospective renters through RentWell and 105 in homeownership and celebrated 30 new homeowners.

The beauty of community support is how it multiplies. Take the Anderson Homes Foundation partnership – what began as one business owner’s vision has now helped three families achieve the dream of homeownership, with three more to be added next year. In a year when Columbia's housing costs hit an all time high, these achievements feel particularly meaningful.

Sometimes the smallest gifts create the biggest ripples. When Rod and Kim Petersen donated their family vehicle this summer, they couldn't have known it would go to Sarah, a hardworking mom of three girls. "This car and many people I've met at Love Columbia have changed my life," Sarah told us. "It's hard to ask for help and to keep pushing through the storm, but it's been worth the challenge because of the unimagined blessings on the other side."

Our donors' creativity in meeting needs continues to inspire me. When Columbia Police Department officers and staff pooled their personal donations to purchase a play kitchen for our Healthy Homes and Tables program, they weren't just giving furniture - they were investing in family bonding and childhood development. When local professionals volunteer their time for our homebuyer education classes, they're not just teaching - they're opening doors to generational wealth-building through homeownership.

What moves us most is how our donors understand that true transformation often requires sustained support. Through their faithful giving, we've been able to launch new initiatives like our Pre-Homeownership and RentWell classes, responding to emerging community needs with practical solutions. Our online Information Library, which celebrated its fifth anniversary this year with over 229,181 views, has become a vital community resource, helping thousands of neighbors find resources for housing, employment, and support services.

We still have work to do. Columbia's affordable housing crisis continues to challenge many of our neighbors, with rent increasing 5.6% just this year. But together, we're making progress. Every time a family moves from crisis to stability, every time a person finds employment that can support their family, every time a first-time homebuyer receives their keys - these are moments that your generosity has made possible.

As we look toward 2025, we are filled with gratitude for every donor who has helped write these stories of transformation. Whether through monthly giving, volunteer hours, or one-time gifts, you've created ripples of hope that continue to spread throughout our community. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means more than you know.

With gratitude,

Nathan Hansen

Chief Development Officer

P.S. If you'd like to multiply your impact, consider joining our monthly giving program by clicking below. Thanks to a generous matching donor, your monthly commitment will be doubled for an entire year, creating even more opportunities for transformation in our community.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!