Love Columbia

Volunteer Spotlight ?? Meet Deb, a passionate Extra Mile Coaching volunteer whose journey proves that sometimes, by helping others, we heal ourselves. Deb encourages others to consider volunteering and emphasizes the healing power of service. She reflects, "Through volunteering, I was able to rediscover purpose and build meaningful relationships." Thank you, Deb, for your kind heart and dedication! ??

Join us in congratulating Jane Williams, Love Columbia Executive Director, on being awarded The Source Summit People Advocate & Community Collaborator Convener Award. Jane's dedication to Love Columbia and our community inspires our team daily. ??

Joy Bell??? ?? Join us in celebrating with LaKendra because she has secured permanent housing for her family! We are so proud of her dedication and hard work. LaKendra brings a smile everywhere she goes, thank you LaKendra for impacting our team with your unwavering joy.

Together, we can make a difference! ?? Are you, or your organization, looking to make a meaningful impact? Click the link to learn more about providing essential items to support individuals and families in our community: https://lnkd.in/gqRX8nQk Your generous donations help us provide resources and support to our neighbors in need!

Joy Bell ?? ?? Today we are celebrating with Elijah because he has paid off debt and continues to raise his credit score! We are so proud of Elijah and his dedication to achieving his goals.

Love Forward Homes Groundbreaking ?? ?? Yesterday, our Love Columbia team, along with key stakeholders and community members, celebrated the groundbreaking of Love Forward Homes. Since 2015, our transitional housing program has helped over 70 families with children experiencing homelessness reset their lives and secure permanent housing. This new 10-unit facility marks a major expansion of the program, enabling us to support even more families on their journey to stability and success. We want extend our deepest thanks to the City of Columbia, Missouri Government and the Boone County Commissioners for their support through the American Rescue Plan Act, which has been vital in making this project a reality. We are also incredibly grateful to The Crossing, Columbia, MO, its leadership and congregation, for their generosity and investment through their Easter offering. We are excited to partner with Prost Builders, Inc. to complete this project in late 2025!

Join us tomorrow for the Love Columbia Howdy's Car Show THIS Saturday, September 28, in the Crossing Church parking lot (3615 Southland Dr, Columbia, MO 65201)! Live music from Flyover Country Band, delicious food trucks from Big Daddy’s BBQ and the Patty Wagon, meet Shags & Trevor from KCMQ 96.7, and a showcase of incredible rides! This event offers FREE admission to all spectators, if you are entering your car or truck into the Car Show, registration is $30. We have six awesome show categories, each category winner will go home with a custom trophy. Howdy's Choice trophy pictured below. Share this post and tag your friends, we’ll see you SOON! https://lnkd.in/gja-_4um

For the past three years, John has dedicated his Fridays to partnering with the Furniture Bank, delivering essential household items to families in need. “Walking into the lives of my neighbors has been an incredible journey of personal growth and connection,” John shares. His passion for loving and supporting others fuels his commitment to the mission, bringing hope and stability to those who need it most. Thank you, John, for being a light to the community! ??

Today we are celebrating all of our RentWell grads! ???? They committed to 5 weeks of classes that empowered them to secure rental housing and become successful tenants and neighbors. One RentWell grad said, "The class was awesome. It put responsibility back in my hands, and it led me to become a more responsible tenant and more responsible with my finances. All the teachers were awesome, and they really showed that they cared."

Meet Claire, our Education Coordinator ?? "I hope that our clients know they have someone here they can talk to when things are hard and that they feel empowered to make any changes they need to make in order to reach their goals. Being connected to a community and having a support system is essential for moving forward." Click to keep reading our Q&A with Claire! We are so grateful for Claire and her ability to connect with and encourage others. ?? Claire Van Doren