It takes a community…

LoveINC was partnering with in2Action before in2Action even began. It was Jane Williams at LoveINC who encouraged Dan Hanneken to pursue the direction God was leading him to begin providing comprehensive residential transition services to people returning to Columbia from prison. From day one, LoveINC has supported in2Action is every way imaginable.

When people are released from prison, their immediate and most basic needs can be overwhelming. LoveINC is likely the most “connected” social service organization in mid-Missouri and they seem to be able to help us meet any need our residents might have. Whatever they cannot provide internally, they seem to know who in the community can meet the need.

LoveINC provides each resident at in2Action a clothing voucher. On most occasions, our new residents come in with only the clothes on their backs…and those sometimes do not even fit. The clothing vouchers are a huge benefit to new residents. LoveINC also provides half-price bus cards which makes transportation much more accessible. LoveINC is also a great resource to help our residents get connected to a church that is right for them. LoveINC has a good pulse on what’s going on in the church community and they can help our guys find the right fit. Additional services they provide to our residents include housing coaching, furniture, and life coaching.

The Extra Mile Program however might be the greatest gift LoveINC provides to our residents. This is a very successful money management program designed specifically for low-income people. Residents at in2Action almost always come in thinking all they need is more money to solve their problems. The Extra Mile Program provides coaches to work one-on-one with residents to have a more realistic and more responsible approach to money. It is great to see the smiles on the faces of our residents when they tell us how much money they have in savings. For some, it’s the first time in their life they have had any savings at all.

What we like about our partnership with LoveINC is it has become a reciprocal relationship. And while we feel we get much more than we give, we are able to give back in some ways. The picture above for example is several of our residents helping a needy man move to a new home. This man was referred to us from LoveINC. What a blessing to be able to respond to this need. Our guys actually really enjoyed being able to help. In2Action also provides free lawn services to LoveINC and two of their transition houses through our Transitional Employment Lawn Service. This gives our residents an opportunity to learn valuable job skills while also earning money and giving back to the community.

Finally, staff at in2Action and LoveINC meet every Wednesday morning to talk through and pray about challenges we are having with our residents or our agencies as a whole.

The issue of crime and recidivism has no easy solution but for sure part of that solution must include – “IT TAKES A COMMUNITY”. We are so grateful LoveINC is part of our community!