A Community-Driven Force for Good
A Community-Driven Force for Good
Josh Bytwerk, Executive Director
Imagine a single non-profit ministry that provided food, shelter, clothing, furniture, appliances, along with a health and dental clinic. Imagine that it thrived due to hundreds of volunteers working together to make the most difference in the lives of those in need.
Over 40 years ago, local churches in our community began strategizing how the community could collaborate to achieve this vision. This initiative resulted in over 10,000 people in the Tri-Cities benefiting from Love in Action’s services in the last year. Some have gone through LIA’s Thrive program, learning essential skills like financial management, cooking, and smoking cessation. Others have received coaching and support to stay in their homes during a time of rising housing costs.
Over 5,800 people received food from a pantry, many of them only once or twice when a temporary need arose. Hundreds more students benefited from the Backpack Blessings program, receiving food for the weekend when their teachers suspected they might not have enough at home.
Love in Action’s sheltered housing programs, including Hope House, Harbor Hall, and Providence Place, provided 9,000 nights of shelter. These programs offer more than just a warm bed; they create communities of faith and support that provide compassion, connection, and a temporary place to call home.
Hundreds of patients received medical or dental care when they lacked insurance, and many of those have been coached into opportunities that provided insurance and sustainable care. Each visit comes with compassionate listening, offers of other forms of support and a way out of the fear that accompanies pain and uncertainty.
Love in Action is a testament to the power of community and the transformative impact of volunteerism. It’s a story of God working in a small way through a few people and churches, and then building through dedicated efforts into an organization that serves thousands of individuals in need each month.
As this year comes to a close, your donation at Love in Action has the power to change lives. Food, healthcare, and shelter are all available and more needed than ever. But so are compassion, information, and connection for those hurting and feeling uncertain. Your gift can provide a way forward, a hopeful path, a connection in the challenge.
Thank you for giving!
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