2024
Impact Report
Love Your Neighbor is a Christ-following connection center that offers education and resources to improve lives and move people forward out of crisis and into community.
Through relationship, God is transforming all of us.
Dear Friends,
A few days ago, our receptionist came into my office and said, “I just handed someone a wet knee scooter. It was amazing.” Knee scooters, in case you don’t know, are an extremely hot commodity in our medical loan department. We do not have as many of them as other devices we loan out for free. Our receptionist walked the person seeking a knee scooter down to the Outback, where the medical devices are, but couldn’t find one. Just before they left, she went back into the warehouse, where she found Don, who cleans and sanitizes all the medical equipment returns, who had just finished with a knee scooter that someone had returned 15 minutes before. Talk about “Just in time” supply chain!
The customer was amazed, but we see this all the time. When we are presented with a need that we can’t figure out how to address, or when we hit the end of our reserves, God always provides. Our staff has come to love celebrating these “God Sightings.” Times when our vision is cleared, and we understand that it is always God who provides, and provides at the right time.
Right now, we have a flood of people joining our Life Skills Program. Our new Spanish-Language Life Skills Program is addressing needs that have not been addressed in our area before. Families navigating a dramatic shortage of affordable housing are struggling to make ends meet. We are excited to welcome these neighbors into our community. But we have a knee scooter problem. The people and resources it takes to run these transformational programs are not increasing at the same rate as the people who need the programs.
But.
We know this is going to be yet another moment when, just at the right time – in God’s time – we will have what we need. Just like God moves through people to drop off a knee scooter, we know that God will move in people’s hearts to step in to volunteer, to donate, and to pray. Will you be one of those people? I hope so.
I hope you, too, will be celebrating the God Sighting that we expect.
- Jodi Cole Meyer, Executive Director
Partnering with local families to grow their capability to thrive...
“CPS showed up one day after I picked up my first food order from Love’s food pantry. The chief complaint was that I had no food in my house. In my head I’m just crying and thanking God this worked out the way it did. Because if it wouldn’t have, I would have lost my kids.”
“Everyone was actually caring. It wasn’t generic. Everyone was concerned about our well being – it kind of blew my mind. ‘We really want to help you, both now and in the future. We want to see you succeed. Not just to be here, but to continue going forward.’”
Thriving starts by meeting a family’s immediate needs like avoiding an eviction, filling up a fridge with groceries or getting the kids the clothes they need…
..and continues through a weekly relationship while that family participates in the Life Skills Program for 9-12 months.
...financially, relationally & spiritually.
“I’m grateful that I am living a self-sustaining life for my children and myself. I have learned the discipline to maintain that life and have the tools to know what to do if something happens again. I’m grateful that my list of friends has grown. I’m grateful that I can buy my own groceries with my own money now and I can actually take a planned budgeted vacation!”
“Everyone was actually caring. It wasn’t generic. Everyone was concerned about our well being – it kind of blew my mind. ‘We really want to help you, both now and in the future. We want to see you succeed. Not just to be here, but to continue going forward.’”
Thriving is achieved when families understand they have gifts to offer, have met their self-identified goals, and have experienced transformation…
..and continues through a weekly relationship while that family participates in the Life Skills Program for 9-12 months.
How needs & supports work together at Love
A husband is on the brink of losing his job because his vehicle no longer runs.
Love’s vehicle repair resource offers free or discounted car repair and local volunteers offer rides while the car is fixed. He keeps his job!
A local family’s home is in eviction status.
Love’s generous church partners offer benevolence to keep this family housed and begin mapping out a plan for the future.
A couple along with their granddaughter have $220 left in the bank account after paying off other bills. There are still 2 full weeks until payday.
Love’s resources of weekly groceries allow this family to self-select the food they will utilize, including protein and dairy, so that the entire family is nourished.
Each situation is a real crisis experienced by a family in 2024.
A working mom and her daughters are living in their car after the affordable property they rented was sold.
Love’s transitional housing offers a safe and secure home while they utilize other resources and determine future permanent housing.
After having her baby, Mom has limited resources to continue decreasing her debt.
Because she pays rent on time and in full each month, she can access Love’s monthly housing stipend and continue working towards her goals.
Mom misses an entire week of work with no pay as she cares for her sick daughter, with no family nearby to help.
Mom can utilize the weekly gas vouchers and groceries to stay ahead rather than increase the credit card bill.
Who We Serve
Individuals and families who are ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) who are above the federal poverty level but also cannot afford the basics for where they live. People in generational or situational poverty who need support to shift out of survival mode.
How We Serve
We believe every person is an image bearer of God and has something to offer. Serving from an asset-based approach allows us to elevate the dignity of each person and invite them to be part of the solution.
Why We Serve
We believe God calls us in community – and that is where all of us have the opportunity to be transformed. One relationship at a time, we can grow the Kingdom of God here on earth.
What You've Helped Us Accomplish
In Just 3 Years...
- Added a triplex as housing support for Life Skills families.
- Launched an Opportunity Loan Program, an answer to predatory loans.
- Launched an emergency food pantry with the Ottawa County Sherriff’s Department available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Nearly doubled the number of local students served during our Back to School Drive.
- Launched Group Therapy for Anxiety & Depression, a vital mental health resource available to anyone in the community.
- Launched our 5th program, the first ever Spanish Life Skills Program.
Return on Investment
Local Families Have:
- Found community and are not struggling in isolation.
- Gained life skills that help with finances, relationships and faith.
- Paid off an average of $15,000 in debt.
- Discovered the assets they have and how to be part of their solution.
- Increased their self-confidence.
- Created a more stable future for their family.
- Connected to a church community.
- Given back to their communities by volunteering after Life Skills.
We Are Community Supported
- 414 volunteers from 93 Churches served through love your neighbor in 2024, investing 34,552 hours into our community.
- 100+ Volunteers from 16 different churches provided direct support for programs through meals, childcare, teaching and peer support.
- 516 DONORS provided financial support to carry out our mission.
- 40+ Partner organizations Help us love, serve and connect with dignity.
Your prayers fuel the work we do, your volunteer efforts create the community we desire, and your generous financial donation is an investment in the Kingdom that God desires.