Connecting Community Relationships and Resources to Love People Forward |
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This month we want to encourage you with stories of progress made by Love Columbia program participants and provision from Columbia neighbors. |
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Nadia graduated the Extra Mile money management program several years ago, and has since then earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology, become a manager at her job, volunteered as an Extra Mile coach, and bought a house!
Anna, one of the women she coached, joined Nadia to share their coaching experience in an interview with the Columbia Daily Tribune this week! Their interview will be published this weekend.
They said, "We are so eager to promote this program. It's lifechanging."
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From Financial Coaching Participant to
First Time Homeowner
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(Left) Tully Douce, Furniture Bank Manager, and Compass Church volunteer unload furniture.
(Right ) Shay prays over her new home with her volunteer moving team
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When Shay needed to move her family to a different house last year, she ran into obstacle after obstacle in her search for affordable rental housing. Despite having a full-time job with a good work record, she could not find a rental home in her price range in a neighborhood she considered safe.
She enrolled in Love Columbia’s credit building coaching program in order to increase her rentability and pursue her dream to own a home. After months of doubling up with relatives and staying in hotels, she secured sufficient savings and credit score to pursue homeownership.
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"It was disappointing how many homes I tried putting in an offer, but they sold so fast. When I was told my offer on this house was accepted, I almost didn't believe it!"
She says that she's excited to have the capacity now to dream like never before. One of her dreams is to pursue her passion for writing. "I want to write about homelessness because many people don't really understand what it's like. And for those who are experiencing what I did, I want to give them hope."
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Local Landlord: Preparing Tenants for Success
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(Left) Laura gives her new tenant/ Love Columbia client the keys to her new home
(Right and Below) Laura discusses coaching material with Sophia Redelfs.
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Laura VerKamp, Love Columbia financial coach, is excited to rent to one of our clients who is a hardworking single mom.
"I'm so thankful for Laura's willingness to rent to me, and to be a support for me. And Love Columbia has given me motivation to push forward when I thought I couldn't."
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As both a volunteer and a landlord, Laura has a heart for seeing people flourish and learn.
She is partnering with Sophia Redelfs, Love Columbia Housing Specialist, to create material for our Housing Security Coaching workshops that will be held twice a week at our office beginning September 13th.
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Community Effort to Bring 50,000 Bombas Socks to Columbia |
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Volunteers rally to support the Love Seat Furniture Bank unload socks. |
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Longtime MU political science professor David Weber (left) coordinated with Love Columbia to transport 50,000 pairs of Bombas socks from Community Services League of Independence, MO to Memorial Baptist Church of Columbia.
The Love Seat Furniture Bank made the 240-mile round trip for the socks, and over 10,000 pairs have already been given at multiple back to school events in Columbia.
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We're honored to have partnered with David in a community-wide effort to serve our neighbors! Socks will also be distributed to several other local nonprofits including: Coyote Hill, Love Columbia, Rainbow House, and Loaves and Fishes.
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United Way's Give 5 Program Provides New Volunteers
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Give 5 is a newly created social program that matches innovative volunteer opportunities with retired (or almost retired) baby boomers ages 60+ who live in Boone County.
The group visited Love Columbia this month for a presentation of our services and volunteer opportunities. The group also attended presentations at several other incredible nonprofits in town. Four of those in the group chose Love Columbia as their nonprofit to serve, and we got to welcome them at their Give 5 Graduation this week!
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Over The Edge: Rappeler Highlight
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We are excited to have Michael Egnew, tight end for Mizzou Tigers/ NFL, registered to rappel with us at Over The Edge this year!
“I believe it is our duty to strive to be the absolute best we can be and make the most of the gifts God has given us. Making sure we take personal responsibility for our own lives and well being allows us to help others in their time of need. It is in this spirit that I’ve decided to participate in “Over The Edge” with ‘Love Columbia!’ “
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"I was able to pay off my 300% title loan!"
"I purchased a car, and I've been living in the same place for two years after previously not having any stable housing."
"After two years, I got my correct documentation to apply for income based housing!"
"I have been working for three years to get the title of my vehicle in my name after my divorce. Today, I got the corrected title!"
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(pictured left) "I am finally moving into my own place with my daughter and dog! I haven't had a home for so long." |
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Registration is open. Rappel the Tiger Hotel on an adventure to bring hope.
We'll see you there on October 29th!
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Love Columbia was instrumental in launching Love Coffee in 2019. We are pleased to announce their COMO Mojo First Annual Crawfish Boil, to be held next Saturday Sept 10th at The Tiger Hotel from 4:00 - 9:00PM. Founder Chuck Crews and our own Over the Edge partner Glyn Laverick at the Tiger hotel are working overtime to make this event memorable.
Here are links for all event information, ticketing and volunteer functions:
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The Love Seat resale store provides a place for shoppers to find quality,
low-cost furniture, housewares and clothing and for Love Columbia program participants to obtain essential items. The Love Seat Furniture Bank provides free furniture and housewares to families in crisis or transition.
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Mon - Fri 10:00 - 5:00
Sat 9:00 - 4:00
Donation Times:
Mon - Sat 10:00 - 3:00
For Donation Inquiries/Scheduling Pick-Ups:
Call 573-303-6198
2600 Rangeline St. Columbia, MO 65202
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We are on a mission to create a beloved community in Columbia. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired us to begin dreaming about this concept nearly 70 years ago. He insisted it would be an outgrowth of love, a love that is creative and redemptive, that builds up and unifies.
Click below to learn about our 3-part Capital Campaign.
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Love your neighbor as yourself
This is the ideal that drives Love Columbia. We coordinate relationships and resources to “love people forward” to a higher capacity. We provide coaching to help people improve their finances, employment, and housing, and offer strategic financial assistance and material goods to support their path forward.
• Information and referral
• Assessment and action planning
• Coaching (financial, employment, housing, transportation, life purpose)
• Transitional housing
• Payday loan relief
• Strategic financial assistance
• Basic needs (furniture, clothing & housewares)
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Want to Give to Love Columbia? |
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Text to Give
Text the word "LOVE" to 573-282-5396
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Mail a Check
Send to 1209 E Walnut
Columbia, MO 65201
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Give Online
Give securely at lovecolumbiamo.org
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Want to become a legacy donor? Email us at giftplanning@lovecolumbiamo.org |
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