One Family’s Story

Stephen, a husband and father shares: “We had to humble ourselves to ask for help.” His wife, Nadia, continues, “We
are a family with two beautiful children, a house, and running vehicles. From the outside, it seemed we should be making it just fine. We weren’t.

“We were in this strange spot of not being eligible for most assistance programs, but there was never enough money to cover everything. Without support, we were often confronted with the question of which bills to pay and
which to postpone.

“Love in Action met us with such kindness and nonjudgment. We signed up for Financial Fitness, LIA’s free eight-week money management program focusing on budgeting, spending, debt, etc. Honestly, the gas cards given throughout the class were a huge motivator. But, what began as a needed provision turned into a community of support and skills we continue to use almost a year later. 

“The class felt heavy at first; a little overwhelming. I had never learned to manage my money, and it seemed when we focused on one area, another suffered. We did the hard work, and slowly started to see a difference. Jim, who provided one-on-one coaching, really encouraged us. He helped us focus on one category at a time, breaking our budget into manageable pieces. We highly recommend the free coaching offered! 

“We’re thankful for use of the pantry when needed and the financial skills we learned. Love in Action met us where we were in our struggle and walked alongside us to move forward.”