Love In the Name of Christ of Brevard

Causes: Philanthropy, Philanthropy, Charity & Voluntarism Promotion

Mission: Our mission is to "mobilize local churches to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ." Love INC takes churches across denominational lines to help people in need by investing in people not just focusing on meeting needs. Love INC volunteers who serve as client mentors journey with our clients from a time of need through to graduation from the program, when a person is able to live without ongoing support. While agencies, charities and government can provide a safety net to help those in need, Love INC invests in our clients through the power of relationships, where the client learns how to participate in finding solutions to their own needs. The relational component is what makes Love In the Name of Christ unique as a helping ministry, where we provide a hand up not just a hand out in a person's time of need. Love INC of Brevard looks forward to the day when the Church will rise up as Christ followers, and stand against community woes such as the working poor and other forms of poverty, human trafficking and victimization, and respond together saying, "Not on our watch. We will face these problems together!"

Results: Founded in 1977, Love INC has over 135 affiliates nationwide and one international affiliate in Nairobi, Kenya. Our local affiliate, Love INC of Brevard, is a non-profit partnership of 49 Churches, 35 community organizations, 20 businesses and 1,300 volunteers in Brevard purposed to help people break the cycle of need. receive referrals through our client call center where we assess a client's needs, complete an intake, make an action plan, and partner with clients throughout their time with our ministry. We have a calling to value and serve the needy, walking side by side in dignity and respect, providing the tools to making a lasting impact through assistance and accountability.

Target demographics: people facing financial hardship

Direct beneficiaries per year: In 2016, in our 4th quarter alone, we received 393 client calls, 116 church referrals and 22 agency referrals. Through our ministry, 593 of our adult's needs were met, 383 of of our children's needs were met, with only 12 needs unmet. Love INC has 67 volunteers who served 3060 hours, 101 church volunteers who served 514 hours.

Geographic areas served: Brevard County

Programs: Through our Gap Ministry, clients are offered help with needed home repairs and auto repairs and received discounts on purchases during their time of need. We offer the Village Thrift voucher program with our ministry retail store, providing an 80% discount on all furniture, appliances, clothing, housewares, etc. Our partner churches host Personal Care Pantries where clients redeem Love INC vouchers, to purchase family-sized hygiene products for only 25 cents an item. The main takeaway here is that the Gap Ministry program helps ease the burden of financial hardship while preserving a person's dignity by involving their participation. We call that a "hand up" rather than a "hand out." The dignity of our clients is vital as we offer our clients choice. Our clients choose the furniture they want for their home, the type of decor they like. The brand of hygiene products their family uses. That's dignity. In addition, our clients take responsibility for a portion of their purchases, so they can participate in finding solutions to their needs as well as maintain a level of accountability. The aim of our Transformational Ministry is to provide clients the tools one needs for independent living. These tools or basic like skills include: budget mentoring, career building, mental health counseling, and other educational programs provide the tools of lasting change. When you receive services through Love INC, the tools you receive here will have a lasting impact aimed at a transformational difference.