Love In The Name Of Christ Of Yakima

THE MISSION OF LOVE IN THE NAME OF CHRIST OF YAKIMA IS TO EMPOWER FAMILIES TO BREAK OUT OF POVERTY AND LIVE IN SPIRITUAL, PERSONAL, AND FINANCIAL FREEDOM BY LINKING THEM WITH TRAINED VOLUNTEERS FROM A NETWORK OF 24+ LOCAL CHURCHES.WE MOBILIZE LOCAL CHURCHES TO HELP TRANSFORM LIVES AND COMMUNITIES IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.

TEAM (TRAINING, EQUIPPING AND MENTORING) MINISTRY: TEAM IS A COMPREHENSIVE TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRAM BEGUN IN 2012 THAT IS DESIGNED TO HELP THOSE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. THE TEAM PROGRAM, WHICH RUNS WEEKLY AND TAKES ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE, INCLUDES: CLASSES ON BUDGETING AND INSTRUCTION ON HELPFUL LIFE SKILLS; ONGOING COACHING FROM A BUDGET MENTOR; HELP WITH MATERIAL NEEDS FOR PARTICIPANTS; A CHRISTIAN PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN THROUGH AGE 12. THESE CLASSES ARE CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO EQUIP PEOPLE IN POVERTY, AND THOSE STRUGGLING TO STAY OUT OF POVERTY, WITH VITAL SKILLS THEY NEED TO LEAD NEWLY PRODUCTIVE AND SELF-SUFFICIENT LIVES. ORIENTATIONS ARE HELD 5 TIMES THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR, AND CLIENTS CAN BEGIN THE PROGRAM AFTER ATTENDING ANY OF THE ORIENTATIONS. IN 2021, 27 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE TEAM MINISTRY AND 162 TEAM VOUCHERS WERE REDEEMED. SINCE 2012, PARTICIPANTS HAVE PAID OFF $387,980 IN DEBT.

CONNECTION CENTER MINISTRY: TRAINED VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE REQUESTS FOR HELP. WE ASSESS THE LEGITIMACY AND EXTENT OF THE NEED, THEN REFER PEOPLE IN NEED TO THE LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRY OR AREA AGENCY THAT CAN BEST MEET THAT NEED. IN 2021 WE SERVED 146 FAMILIES; RECEIVED 527 CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE; PROVIDED 23 REFERRALS TO OUR PARTNER CHURCHES, AND 119 REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY AGENCIES. 521 SPECIFIC NEEDS WERE MET, INCLUDING CLOTHING, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, CLEANING SUPPLIES, HOUSEHOLD LINENS, KITCHEN SUPPLIES, FURNITURE, BABY SUPPLIES AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES. OUR TEAM OF OFFICE/CONNECTION CENTER VOLUNTEERS INCLUDED 192 INDIVIDUALS PROVIDING 3,643 HOURS OF SERVICE. THE RECORDED VALUE OF ITEMS DONATED TO THOSE IN NEED IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDED $126,868 IN IN-KIND DONATIONS OF FOOD, CLOTHING, HYGIENE SUPPLIES, HOUSEHOLD GOODS, CLEANING SUPPLIES, BABY SUPPLIES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, OFFICE SUPPLIES, OIL CHANGES, HAIRCUTS, CAR REPAIR, COUNSELING, AND CLASSES TAUGHT.

VOLUNTEER TRAINING: EQUIPPING SEMINARS ARE DESIGNED TO EQUIP PEOPLE FOR EFFECTIVE MINISTRY TO THE HURTING, AND ARE AVAILABLE TO CHURCHES AND SMALL GROUPS. THESE TRAININGS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION; RELATIONSHIP ADDICTION; RESILIENCY; ETHICS; BOUNDARIES; TEACHING A GROWTH MINDSET; THE GENESIS PERSONAL CHANGE TOOLS' THE DEFINING A DIFFERENCE - A LOOK AT POVERTY IN AMERICA, ROOT CAUSES AND EFFECTIVE POVERTY ALLEVIATION. THE LIFE SKILLS CLASSES AT TEAM ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO ANYONE ON STAFF OR VOLUNTEERS WITH LOVE INC. THESE WEEKLY ONE-HOUR CLASSES COVER MANY OF THE TOPICS IN THE EQUIPPING SEMINAR, BUT ALSO INCLUDE IDENTITY THEFT, ANGER MANAGEMENT, STRESS MANAGEMENT, COOKING ON A BUDGET, HEALTHY LIVING, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.