Love’s SNAP Response
The last week of October, we got a text from a church deacon who was aware of the possible pause in SNAP benefits. Their church was worried about the impact this would have on their neighbors and asked what we could do to respond, saying: “This is a great opportunity for the collective body of […]
Join the Neighborhood!
We wanted to wrap up our 40 stories by asking you this: Will you join the neighborhood? However you choose, will you stay connected to Love Your Neighbor and find a way to give back? Maybe you refer a family to our Life Skills Program. Maybe you donate or purchase items in our resale shops. […]
Half Dead on the Side of the Road
As Christians, many of us grew up learning the parable story, The Good Samaritan. If we had to quickly recount the main lesson out of this story it would probably be something like, “be a good neighbor” or “be nice to others.” This is an easy lesson to agree with, because Jesus himself modeled this […]
Planting Seeds
Recently, a Life Skills Leader shared her journey with someone who joined the Life Skills Program. “Dallas called in January while living in his truck. He parks in various places in Grandville and sometimes rents hotel rooms. His boss told him to call Love Your Neighbor because we could help. Her family had been helped […]
Mentors Who Were More Like Family
Jon and Kerrie were looking for a way to serve that would make an impact. “We first got involved with Love Your Neighbor because we were searching for a way to give back locally to help combat poverty in a Christ-focused way. Love Your Neighbor was the clear winner. We love that the mission is […]
Even Being College Grads
Dear Love, How can I begin to thank you for the gifts you have given my family? Maybe if you knew a little about us you might see all that you have done. My husband and I met in high school and through rough times and celebrations we married at the end of college. We […]
Laci’s Story
I heard about the Life Skills Program through Habitat for Humanity. They suggested I join this program to help me budget my money and to be able to afford a house of my own. So I did. After a long journey with Habitat, I didn’t end up getting the house. But they helped another family […]
Stereotypes
I think God has a sense of humor. After 4 years of college and 4 years of teaching, I found myself working part-time at Love in the summer months for some extra income before my first baby arrived. (I had never even thought about working in non-profit). I was tasked with writing about the history […]
In Memory of Jason DeJongh
First in, last out. That’s what I think about when I think of Jason DeJongh. He was Director of Operations but that title doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of his contribution to the ministry of Love Your Neighbor. When I began in 2014 as the Executive Director, Jason had already been a member of […]
Cindy’s Story
Cindy was experiencing heartache and a lack of community in her own life when she got connected to Love Your Neighbor. As a retired teacher, she used the skills she had and taught one 4-week class at the Tuesday night program in Grandville, close to where she lives. During that time she witnessed the power […]