Mar 14, 2025
Before Tiffany* learned about Love INC Heartland, her life was chaotic, unstable, and lost. She was homeless, living with her boyfriend and their brand-new baby girl in the basement of a relative while experiencing postpartum depression. She was changing career choices from fast food back to assisted living. During this time, she moved three times in six months into the homes of family members while trying to come up with the money to get an apartment. Shortly after this, she chose to become a single parent in an attempt to escape an unhealthy environment.
She lost everything.
It was still tough for her to wrap her head around all the struggles she was experiencing along the way. She was trying to maneuver through life blindly, not truly understanding how unsafe of a lifestyle she was creating. One night, she remembered her teacher asking, “Where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years?” The Holy Spirit spoke to her, saying, “Be vulnerable, allow God to set the pace, instead of yourself. This is all temporary.” She realized she was trying to control her life and her own plans. She wasn’t open to what God’s plan was for her. She began searching for a helpful and safe community to guide her through this new season of life.
That’s when Tiffany was connected to the Fresh Start Program.
She began to share with Lisa, the Fresh Start Program Director, what she was experiencing. Lisa was so patient the entire time, helping Tiffany set some goals without her even realizing it in the moment. Lisa could see the positive impact of this program and knew it was exactly what God intended for her.
This program helped Tiffany learn about who she was, what her strengths and challenges were, and how to overcome them. She was not the same person she had been five years ago. The Bible says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Without the Fresh Start Program, Tiffany wouldn’t have learned how to achieve her goals and dreams without their encouragement. By participating in this program, she transformed into someone who trusted God and gained better insight into how to take care of herself and her daughter physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.
Because of Fresh Start, Tiffany’s life was forever changed for the better.
She was able to cultivate an optimistic outlook on life. It gave her a chance to dream again about what her future could look like.
We are seeing lives transformed In the Name of Christ through Fresh Start!
Fresh Start is our transformational program designed to help participants learn new skills, set goals and reduce stress in their home through weekly classes. Classes are offered throughout the year and topics include, Affirming Potential, Faith & Finances, Parenting, And more!
Will you support this program?
A gift of $1,500 supports one participant for one year.
*Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.
Sep 13, 2024
Do you know about our Fresh Start Program?
Our Fresh Start Program is offered exclusively through Love INC Heartland. It’s a series of free, weekly classes that create opportunities to make positive life changes. While this is a core next step that we encourage neighbors in need to participate in, anyone is welcome to attend classes. Class topics include:
- Affirming Potential
- Faith & Finance
- Parenting
- And More
Lisa, our Fresh Start Program Director, shares, “We believe that as people [come to know] they are loved and valued by God, that they have God-given potential, and that God has a plan for their life. Their level of self-worth and hope increases and they become better equipped for life.”
*Kelly, at a very young age felt alone and struggled with her mental health. She was a single mom who had no confidence, no support system, and a lot of shame. For most of her life, she pictured blackness for her future as everything seemed so complicated. She met Lisa at a Gao Ministry event called Back to School Bash in 2019 and was asked to consider the Fresh Start program. She was not ready then, but in 2021 she reached an all-time low in her life and decided to reach out and join the Fresh Start Program. Kelly began to build a positive support system within Fresh Start. One of Kelly’s new friends was *Pamela, a single mom who had also walked a road of abuse and trauma much like Kelly. Pamela invited Kelly to a Christian single mom’s retreat and a trauma support group. This began a friendship, and with the support of each other, they are allowing God to heal their past. They now attend church together and believe God has good things in their future.
Both Kelly and Pamela’s ongoing stories are a real reminder that God has plans for both their lives.
Lisa reminds us that, “God sees us as human beings that He created with a special purpose. He does not see us as human doings where we are seen for what we have done or what we are doing.” A verse Lisa shares often is Psalm 139:14, I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. When we read this truth, we know that God has a special purpose for everyone.
Many of these relationships and support systems would not be possible without the Fresh Start Program. Will you help us continue to Love In the Name of Christ through our Fresh Start Program?
There are a variety of ways you can support this transformational ministry. A few ways are:
Jun 12, 2024
Marissa* first heard about Love In the Name of Christ Heartland when she met our Fresh Start Program Director, Lisa, at a church event a few months back. With two young children and the challenge of moving back in with her husband, who was recovering from alcoholism, Marissa was doing her best to navigate family life with God’s guidance. However, financial struggles were adding to their burden, and they needed support. Lisa shared her contact information with Marissa, urging her to reach out since she had shown interest in the Fresh Start Program.
As time passed, Marissa didn’t call Lisa. Lisa started to wonder about her and began praying that God would guide Marissa to them when the time was right, according to His plan.
“Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEB
The following day, Marissa finally made the call. It turned out that a friend of hers had been part of our Fresh Start Program and suggested Marissa give it a try. We were thrilled to reconnect with her and saw it as a sign of divine intervention prompting her call. Marissa and her husband joined Fresh Start, finding the classes valuable in their lives.
During one of the Fresh Start sessions, a volunteer returned after a long absence. Marissa recognized this volunteer from years ago. After the classes ended, Marissa confided that she believed God had placed that volunteer there that night to help her mend a relationship that had soured in the past. It was a powerful reminder to Marissa that God was guiding her towards forgiveness and reconciliation. She realized she needed to trust and follow His lead in her life. Clearly, God was at work in Marissa and her husband’s lives, and their participation in the Fresh Start program was evidence of that.
We eagerly anticipate witnessing what God has in store for them as they continue to trust Him for their future.
*Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.
Mar 26, 2024
In August 2023, Love INC Heartland received a $4,500 grant from Delano Loretto Area United Way. This grant will fund our Fresh Start Program which encourages independence by helping people gain valuable life skills and see their self-worth. Volunteers from our partnership of churches provide community meals, lead classes, and mentor participants. Through this educational program, our neighbors in need are empowered to see their self-worth and take a Fresh Start towards self-sufficiency through a safe and loving environment. Thank you Delano Loretto Area United Way for supporting our ministry and mission to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ (INC)!
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Mar 25, 2024
A heartfelt thank you to all the WH members who participate in ORU, which rounds their monthly bills to the nearest dollar to provide funding to local charities and organizations like us at Love In the Name of Christ Heartland.
Mar 18, 2024
When a friend of *Veronica suggested she reach out to Love In the Name of Christ Heartland, she was the only one working in her household, and with two little children, they were struggling financially. Life became more and more stressful as they tried to pay bills each month. We offered her our Fresh Start Program, but she wasn’t ready to commit. Then, her marriage began to fall apart, and she lost valuable healthcare benefits like counseling. Veronica realized she needed help and desired to make a change. She needed a positive support system in her life.
Around this time, our Fresh Start Program Director, Lisa Green, participated in monthly Love INC National prayer calls. Lisa knew many of the neighbors we were helping had yet to choose to commit to Fresh Start. She knew how much they needed it, and it burdened her. Veronica came to Lisa’s mind as the other Love INC staff prayed together on the call. A few hours later, Veronica visited our Love INC Heartland office and thrift store in Delano. She shared that she had cleared her schedule for Mondays and wanted to begin the Fresh Start Program!
The Fresh Start homework was challenging for her, and managing anxiety did not help. As time went on, the homework became easier. She received encouragement and reassurance all along the way. She began understanding her emotions better. She discovered she was not alone because others shared similar life experiences and started to form positive relationships that supported her while growing in her relationship with God.
Veronica’s life transformation is just beginning. She has found Fresh Start to be unique. She didn’t know of any other programs that provide you tools to navigate life and encourage building a relationship with Jesus. Veronica is learning to make changes with God’s help, and because of that, her level of peace and hope continues to grow. Even when life circumstances would overwhelm her, she would make it to Fresh Start every week. Every week, she would leave feeling loved and cared for, which helped her get through the tough stuff in life.
*Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.
Fresh Start Program
At Love INC Heartland, we aim to promote positive, lasting life transformation. Our Fresh Start Program encourages independence by helping people gain valuable life skills and see their self-worth. Volunteers from our partnership of churches provide community meals, lead classes, and mentor participants. We also rely on donations to sponsor families in the Fresh Start Program. Will you support this transformational ministry? Let us know today!
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