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 […]
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 […]
Jon’s Story
Jon has been a volunteer with Love’s Life Skills Program for more than 20 years. 20 years! The Life Skills Program can only function with dedicated volunteers who are willing to help with childcare, meals, classes and peer supports (walking alongside others one-on-one). Jon, how did you originally connect with Love and start volunteering? I’m […]
Collaboration: A Love Your Neighbor Value
At the end of 2020, our leadership team got together and reflected on what values we see being lived out through Love Your Neighbor. A common value we see lived out is collaboration. Working together, we value every contribution. We thought about the many volunteers who come from over seventy different churches in the area to work together! We […]
Shania’s Story
Shania was new to the Hudsonville community after being adopted out of foster care as a teenager. Her first connection to Love Your Neighbor was while volunteering. As an individual with special needs, she would come regularly with a job coach while in high school to further develop job skills. “My family helped me find […]
From Graduate to Volunteer
“What leads someone to volunteer? Every path is different. We all have our reasons to give back, but here is my story. During my 16 years of marriage, my husband and I made horrible financial decisions with repercussions that followed me for years. When the marriage broke up, I became a single mom with four […]
Ruth’s Story
Ruth was a retired Nurse Tech who missed the interaction with people she so much enjoyed, so she began searching for what was next. She knew she wanted to connect with others where there was a Christian focus to follow Jesus’ call to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” so she began exploring Love Your Neighbor. […]
Emily’s Story
“Hudsonville seems to be a small town where everyone knows each other. Being blessed by having Hudsonville as my hometown, I heard of Love through conversations with people throughout the years. When I was 18 years old, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and made Him my Lord and Savior of my life! I […]
Jake’s Story
Jake was an officer in the army who, like many, had to keep it together. Commanding 120 people, he was conditioned to not show weakness. “There’s a lot that you carry. I’ve lost soldiers. Things that I didn’t know how to deal with. You put it all away in your ruck sack and stuff, stuff, […]