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All Of It Working Together

by | Jan 31, 2024 | Mission & Values, Resources, Stories of Transformation

“At the start of this journey, I felt totally alone and very lost.”

This is a common statement made by participants as they reflect back on how life was before – our own neighbors who are part of the almost 40% of individuals in Hudsonville, Jenison and Grandville living paycheck to paycheck. Often times, just one divorce, job loss or medical bill away from not making ends meet and falling behind – often feeling totally alone and lost.

After a year’s journey in Love Your Neighbor’s Life Skills Program, we hear Life Skills participants share more:

“The Life Skills Program was so inclusive – I was home with a new family that does care. Love Your Neighbor – what an operative word! Love is and love does.”

“One of the best parts is getting my peer support and having our special bond. Having her there every week to support me, check up on my progress, and keep me going. She’s not just my mentor, she’s my friend.”

“If you’re scared or not sure about coming, I’m telling you, it’s worth it. Just try it. You won’t regret it. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Life Skills Graduates

Sometimes we find it hard to describe what happens within Love Your Neighbor’s Life Skills Program.

It’s not just financial literacy class.

It’s not just resources like groceries and gas.

It’s not just being paired with a mentor and building a relationship.

It’s what God does through all of it working together.

Love Your Neighbor’s mission statement starts with “Following Jesus Christ, who transforms lives…” and that is purposeful. The belief that God is working through this ministry and transforming lives remains evident, even after 40 years!

As we continue to serve many local families on a weekly basis, we invite you to join us.

  • We can’t offer financial literacy class without a volunteer teacher.
  • We can’t offer resources like groceries and gas without donations and sponsorships.
  • We can’t pair participants to a peer support without volunteers.

You are needed. Together, we can make a huge impact on our neighbors and make our community stronger.

If you want to learn more about volunteering with Life Skills, reach out to us: [email protected] or 616.662.3300 x114

If you are seeking support, reach out to us: 616.662.3300 x128

It’s quite incredible that all of this happens almost every day, and every week, by diligent volunteers who embody our diligence core value.

Not only is there a large variety of “things to do,” but also a deep investment by those who say yes to volunteering. Most volunteers serve weekly, some even daily, spending hundreds of hours donating the gift many of us hold most tightly – the gift of time.

In 2023 alone, 420 volunteers invested 49,120 hours – a value of $1.5 million! 

Our core mission is to love, serve and connect with dignity as we follow Jesus Christ closely, watching how he transforms lives – and we often highlight the transformation happening through our Life Skills Program.

What we often forget to highlight is that God is also transforming lives through volunteerism, giving community members purpose, friendship, creativity, and belonging. Here at Love, we believe everyone has something to offer.

If you are a volunteer, at Love Your Neighbor or elsewhere, thank you for this priceless gift!

Check out this volunteer video to learn more about volunteering at Love Your Neighbor.