Love INC of Clay County

Transcription

1 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Bringing Christian churches together to help the poor in coordinated, tangible ways that demonstrate God's love. Love INC of Clay County All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 2:20 (NIV) Love In the Name of Christ of Clay County was established in November 1990 to help network local churches, church volunteers, and community organizations together to help people in need in Clay County. It is one of the most effective networking, outreach and mobilization tools available to churches today. There are currently 157 Love INC affiliates, 8,600 participating churches, and over 100,000 volunteers nationwide, with over 700,000 individuals served annually.

2 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2 From the Director We saw several changes to Love INC of Clay County in One of the first was to update the Love INC web site, and Facebook and Twitter pages, to give our supports, and others, a better look at the heart and ministry of Love INC volunteers and staff. In addition to monthly articles, the web site has links for people in need, volunteers looking to serve, anyone in need of prayer, and even a map to find your way to our offices at the Freedom House in Liberty. We also started a monthly electronic newsletter called A Love Letter from Love INC of Clay County, which highlights Love INC events, special needs for the month, and a new feature called Because You Gave, which summarizes the impact Love INC had in Clay County in the previous month. One of the more difficult changes made in 2013 was the closing of the Love INC thrift store. The store operated for five years but was never able to generate income for the ministry as originally intended. So a final sale was held in April with the remaining inventory given to our ministry partner Hillcrest Ministries. But most important, financial resources were freed up to help more families in need. All of this was made possible by our faithful supports. And the first of those I want to thank is our church partners. One of the most important things to happen in 2013 was the addition of eight new partner churches. We still have a long way to go with more than 125 Christian churches in Clay County, but this increase in partner churches is wonderful news and a real answer to prayer. If your church is not a partner, speak with your church leadership today and invite them to visit Love INC and join other churches in showing Love In the Name of Christ to our neighbors. I also want to thank our wonderful volunteers. It is not easy being a volunteer in times of change. In addition to the changes mentioned already, we introduced a Financial Assistance Application Form to simplify the process of helping individuals and families in need. At the start of 2013 it was taking us five to seven weeks to provide help for an individual or family facing eviction from their home or apartment or the shut off of their utilities. The new form has allowed us to bring that wait time down to five to seven days. Second, we formed a Prayer Ministry team and created a prayer request process to support our clients, volunteers, staff, churches and board of directors. Third we created a follow-up process for the families we serve. Individuals and families receiving assistance are now added to a sixmonth care plan, and receive cards, phone calls, prayer support and Gap Ministry help for six months following the date that the initial assistance was given. This has resulted in a quadrupling of our Gap Ministry efforts. On a more personal note, I want to thank the Love INC of Clay County Board of Directors. The past two years have been a real challenge, but through their efforts, partnerships are up, donations are up, the number of individuals assisted is up, and the amount of financial and in-kind assistance given is up. We are all in their debt. Finally, I want to thank you, whoever you are, because you care enough about the poor in Clay County to read this annual report. If you are already a partner and donor, a special thanks. If not, join with us today and make an impact on your community that has eternal rewards. Because He first loved us, David G. Rathbun Executive Director

3 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Page 3 Program Highlights Clearinghouse Ministry Love INC of Clay County operates a local Clearinghouse Ministry which maintains information on resources available to people in need through community agencies, church outreach ministries, and the talents of people in the pews. Christian staff and volunteers prayerfully and lovingly receive requests for help and screen them for legitimacy and extent of need. Each need is then met by Love INC, or referred to the most appropriate network church or agency. Volunteers and staff follow up to ensure the need was met and to offer prayer and spiritual support. Love INC offers assistance to anyone in the community who is in need. It is done on a case-by-case basis, as funds are available, and without regard to gender, race, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, or religion. As a part of its Clearinghouse Ministry, Love INC of Clay County provides emergency financial assistance to individuals and families facing eviction from their home or apartment or the shut-off of their utilities. Love INC is not a source of continuing rent or utility assistance, but can help in times of crisis. For that reason, individuals receiving emergency financial assistance must be able to maintain their household after assistance is given, and have income sufficient to meet their ongoing needs. In September of 2013, Love INC of Clay County began a Care Plan program, a promise to families receiving financial assistance that we will stay connected by providing six months of ongoing Gap and Prayer Ministry assistance. Gap Ministry The Gap Ministry is an outreach of Love INC of Clay County that fills any unmet need or gaps in community services for people in need. It meets needs that are not currently or sufficiently being met by agencies, government entities, or churches. The primary focus is a Personal Care Pantry that provides our clients with the opportunity to receive personal care items with dignity. All items donated to the Love INC GAP Ministry go to serve individuals and families in need in Clay County. Gap Ministry items are provided by partnering churches, area service agencies, youth groups, bible study groups, businesses and individuals concerned about meeting the basic needs of their neighbors. Diapers, toilet paper, toothpaste, soap and shampoo are a just few of the products provided by our partners every week. This year Love INC of Clay County began a new partnership with Giving the Basics as a way of enhancing its GAP Ministry program. Giving the Basics is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to assuring that basic human dignity products are available to everyone when they need them. Toilet paper, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, soap and shampoo are a few of the products that many of us take for granted. These products are not covered by government assistance, so sadly, many people often go without. Prayer Ministry One of the Core Values of Love INC of Clay County is that prayer is an integral part of who we are. As a way of living out that value, Love INC has developed a prayer ministry that connects client, volunteers, staff, churches, and board members in a network of prayer. Relational Ministry One of our goals for 2014 is to expand our Relational Ministry to: (1) Help clients take positive steps toward increased self-sufficiency, (2) Teach and encourage problem-solving skills, (3) Develop ongoing relationships and support between volunteers and clients, (4) Share the love of Christ with individuals and families in a sensitive, caring and appropriate manner, (5) Grow as Christians through our experience helping others

4 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Page 4 The emphasis of Relational Ministry is surrounding people in need with nurturing and empowering relationships. These relationships become an important resource for clients to help them make positive choices toward their goals, and to break the unrelenting, stressful cycle of poverty. Relational Ministry programs work when people in need are provided with Christ-like relationships that foster transformational and sustainable life change. Community Development Ministry Love INC of Clay County will continue to help churches identify underlying or systemic needs in their own community, and help them address the deeper issues that contribute to poverty and hopelessness. Special Events Easter Baskets: Eighty-eight children from twenty families received Easter baskets in April. Partner churches and individuals provided the baskets and goodies to go inside, and volunteers from Gashland Baptist Church helped distribute the basket to Love INC families. Coats for Kids: In partnership with JC Penney in Liberty and United Auto Workers 249, Love INC was able to provide coats, hats, cloves, scarves and boots to fifteen children from seven Love INC families in November. Shop with Love INC: This annual adopt-a-family event provided fourteen kids with an opportunity to buy Christmas gifts for their entire family. Target in Liberty, special gifts from donors, and the hard work of numerous volunteers made this event possible. But it didn t stop with shopping. After shopping, the kids were guests at a special Christmas party where they wrapped their present, made Christmas cookies, ate pizza, and were visited by Santa himself. Client Services Report Love INC of Clay County provides direct client services through all of its ministry programs. In 2013 there were more than 4,000 calls or applications for assistance. In 2013 Love INC clients received $41, in assistance with personal care items, clothing and gas vouchers, and utility assistance through the Kansas City Water Services fund. In addition, clients received almost 2,500 hours of help with applications, referral information, and prayer and encouragement from volunteers with a value of $46, The financial help provided in 2013 was made possible by partner churches and donors who provided the resources needed to help families facing the threat of eviction or the shut off of their utilities. In 2013 Love INC of Clay County provided $52, in rent and utility assistance. The total direct support for the needy in Clay County in 2013 was $140, Client Service Report Individuals Served Households Assisted in Clay County 841 Number of Adults 1,344 Number of Seniors 106 Number of Children 1,255 Total Number of Individuals Served 2,705 Value of Assistance Given In-Kind Assistance (non-cash) $ 41, Volunteers (value of hours) $ 46, Love INC Funds $ 52, Total Values of Assistance Given $ 140,319.02

5 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Page 5 Financial Report One of the key responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director is to care for the assets of Love INC of Clay County as they would their own and to serve as guardians of the ministry Income and Expenses Statement Ordinary Income Unrestricted Contributions $ 128, Restricted Contributions $ 25, Other $ 4, Total Ordinary Income $ 159, Other Income (In-Kind) Client Services $ 41, Other In-Kind $ Volunteer Hours $ 46, Total Other Income (In-Kind) $ 87, Total Income $ 247, Expenses Payroll Expenses $ 62, Operating Expenses $ 42, Direct Client Services $ 54, Total Expenses $ 158, Other Expense (In-Kind) Client Services $ 41, Other In-Kind $ Volunteer Hours $ 46, Total Other Expense (In-Kind) $ 87, Total Expenses $ 246, Net Income (Loss) $ Board of Directors Love INC of Clay County is an incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with its own board of directors, executive director, staff and church volunteers. The Board of Directors has the responsibility of providing governance and direction to the activities of Love INC of Clay County. The 2013 Board of Directors was made up of the following: Jim Landers, Chairperson Shawn Persell, Vice Chairperson Heidi Neuenswander, Secretary John Jeffries, Treasurer Ken Cox Dave Culver Amy Varney Georgia Ploetner Martha Duffin

6 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Page 6 Love INC of Clay County Staff The Love INC of Clay County staff are all part-time employees who work alongside a wonderful group of caring volunteers. Together they make up a team of compassionate servants of Christ. Our current staff members are: Missy Bull, Office Coordinator Kristie Jeanes, Clearinghouse Coordinator Betty Preston, Care Coordinator David Rathbun, Executive Director Love INC of Clay County Offices Love INC of Clay County 2050 Plumbers Way, Suite 160 Liberty, MO Help Line; (816) Admin Line: (816) Fax: (816) info@loveincofclaycounty.org Web Site: Twitter: Facebook: