The Clearinghouse is the foundation of Love INC and includes these basic steps:
- Receive request for help. Requests for help are received in the Love INC Clearinghouse either directly from a person in need or when a person is referred to Love INC by a local agency or church.
- Assess the need. Trained Love INC volunteers or staff screens the request to determine legitimacy and extent of the need, and to discover any deeper issues fueling the crisis. Love INC determines what help the client has already received from agencies or churches, and ensures the need is manageable and specific.
- Refer. Love INC connects the need to the most appropriate church ministry, church volunteer, and/or local agency and the need is met.
- Follow-up. Love INC reviews the outcome. Was the need met? Is there a core issue that requires longer-term attention? It also provides an opportunity for the recipient to become connected to a local church if he or she desires.
The Relational Ministry helps individuals and families in chronic need make lasting changes in their lives. Volunteers are trained to walk alongside people in need for an extended period of time in order to help them overcome their problems and move toward self-sufficiency. Relational Ministry provides people with caring and nurturing relationships in a structured environment that includes skills training, mentoring, goal setting, and spiritual and emotional support. Relational Ministry also surrounds people in need with the full array of church and community resources available through the Love INC Clearinghouse. Our Relational Ministry is our financial coaching program (Budget Boot Camp).
The Gap Ministries are “gaps” in services and resources in the community that are not currently or sufficiently being met. These ministries constantly grow and evolve as needs become known (usually identified through the clearinghouse). Currently, Whatcom Love INC has the following “Gap” Ministries”.
- “Furnished With Love”- furniture
- “Diaper Duty”- diapers
- “Blankets of Blessings”- bed linens (i.e. comforters/quilts, sheets, mattress pads, pillows)
