By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
Some say when God closes a door, he opens a window.
That’s certainly true in the case of Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC) of North Oakland County.
The local nonprofit organization, which helps folks down on their luck meet their needs and turn their lives around, was facing the dismal prospect of being homeless at the end of this month.
But now, not only is Love INC preparing to move into a brand new office space that’s less costly, the group could end up receiving a significant financial boon.
Love INC is currently promoting its ‘Double Your Dollars? challenge, the goal of which is to raise $20,000 to help the group cover moving expenses and rent, and provide a little extra wiggle room in the budget.
Four of Love INC’s supporters issued this challenge.
From now until Oct. 15, they will match every single dollar donated to the organization, up to $10,000. So far, approximately $1,800 has been contributed in response to the challenge.
‘I’m not a very emotional person, but they did make me cry,? said Debbie Nelson, executive director of Love INC. ‘The generosity of this area and the donors is overwhelming.?
Love INC is a cooperative effort that links churches, volunteers and service agencies together, so they can more effectively reach out to disadvantaged people and cover their needs.
The group operates a clearinghouse (or call center) that serves as a contact point for people in need. They call in, their situation is evaluated and they are connected with local churches and agencies that have the proper resources to provide them with assistance.
‘We’re an agency that is trying to give a hand-up to our neighbors in need,? Nelson said.
This $20,000 fund-raising challenge came about because Love INC is in the process of relocating its clearinghouse from an office space on W. Clarkston Rd. to a new location on Indianwood Rd. in Orion Township.
‘We weren’t planning this move,? Nelson explained. ‘We were quite happy here.?
Unfortunately, staying put became financially impossible for this nonprofit that derives all of its monetary support from the community and its partner churches.
‘Our landlord wanted a 45 percent increase in the rent,? Nelson explained. ‘It was unrealistic for us to be able to meet that.?
That’s when Chad Toth, owner of Real Estate Gives, stepped up and generously offered Love INC a new place to call home inside his building on Indianwood Rd.
‘He’s completely redesigning the lower level to meet our needs as a call center,? Nelson said. ‘We’re actually getting that space for about $150 to $200 a month less than what we’re paying now.?
As if that weren’t enough, these four supporters issued their $20,000 challenge in response to Love INC’s unexpected need for new digs.
If met, according to Nelson, this sum would cover all of Love INC’s moving expenses, pay six months worth of rent and give their operating fund ‘a little bit of cushion.?
Nelson explained the four supporters want Love INC to really be able to focus on serving its clients as opposed to worrying about keeping the doors open and the lights on at the clearinghouse.
Last year, Love INC received 4,557 calls, served 506 families and helped meet 1,537 needs related to paying rent and utility bills, car repairs, minor home repairs, food, clothing, counseling, budget classes, career transitions, household goods and personal needs.
Unlike some large national charities, Love INC doesn’t have a ton of overhead in terms of payroll. ‘We only have two part-time employees and both of us get paid for less than 30 hours a week,? Nelson said. ‘All of our calls are answered by a volunteer.?
Right now, the clearinghouse is staffed by 25 volunteers.
In addition to the clearinghouse, Love INC, in partnership with local churches, operates a number of ministries that provide free meals, clothing, household goods and personal hygiene products to folks in need.
In terms of charitable organizations, Love INC is unique in that it doesn’t just address people’s material needs.
Nelson explained Love INC views each person as a whole and tries to form relationships with its clients in order to help them make better decisions in life and prevent future crises. Mentoring and goal-setting combined with spiritual and emotional backing are all part of the long-term support system the group offers.
Love INC serves Oxford, Orion, Addison, Brandon, Oakland and Independence townships, along with their respective villages, plus the cities of Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Rochester and Rochester Hills. Most of the groups 25 partner churches are located in Oxford and Orion.
Love INC’s office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The phone number is (248) 693-4357.
For more information or to donate, visit the group on-line at lakeorion.loveincofnoc.org
Checks can be mailed to Love INC of NOC, P.O. Box 104, Lake Orion, MI 48362.