Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing and Love Thy Neighbor Two Outstanding Area Missions That Embrace Those in Need.
A special thanks for your continued support of Central missions. Nearly 60% of all Central mission dollars are used to support help organizations in the Grand Traverse region. Central assists 25 community initiatives for healthcare, education, food, housing, general care, and social / mental wellness programs. Also, a portion of your general offering funds are used to support additional mission work through national and international missions through our United Methodist District and Conference ministry shares, as well as supporting Central’s outreach and other ministries. Give now to support Central’s Mission Ministry (ensure you select the MISSION’s Fund when giving online)
A Love Thy Neighbor Success Story:
Maggie was referred to Love Thy Neighbor by her friend, Lisa, who was in our ongoing Mentorship Program. Maggie was in uncharted territory as she had just been divorced from her husband and had custody of her three young children. She was struggling to make ends meet with a waitress job and needed some guidance in her life.
Maggie became a part of our Ongoing Mentorship Program and met monthly with Love Thy Neighbor director, Tony Nelson. Her basic needs were met, such as gas cards and hygiene products along with rental assistance. She also participated in Love Thy Neighbor’s Household Budget Program.
Her outgoing personality and optimistic spirit were obvious, and her dream of becoming a hairdresser was very evident. Love Thy Neighbor supported and encouraged her as she successfully completed a cosmetology course. Love Thy Neighbor helped Maggie secure her cosmetology license, and she is now working full time in the career that she loves.
She has become a cherished member of our Love Thy Neighbor family. In her free time, she volunteers at the Love Thy Neighbor office, and cuts hair for those in need.
For more than 35 years, Love Thy Neighbor, Grand Traverse (formerly known as Love in the Name of Christ) has been helping people overcome challenges. In partnership with area Christian churches and community service agencies, Love Thy Neighbor helps arrange funding and/or provide resources for:
- Personal mentoring programs for life skills, cooking, family management and household budgeting/planning,
- Medical equipment such as wheelchairs,
- New parent needs such as cribs and bedding,
- Transportation needs and fuel cards for transporting people to out-of-town medical appointments,
- Household appliances,
- Hygiene and cleaning products (in conjunction with Jubilee House) for basic human needs,
- Auto repair/transportation needs for employment,
- Holiday support, including the Adopt-a-Family gift program for children and food basket program for those in need.
Each year, Love Thy Neighbor assists nearly 10,000 area people. Funding relies on donations from partner churches, individual donations, grants, and fundraising events. Christian witness and prayer are the foundations of all Love Thy Neighbor efforts.
Your support for Love Thy Neighbor allows this CUMC mission to sustain and expand assistance for those in need. Mission Committee member Zeke Fleet is the CUMC liaison for Love Thy Neighbor. Click here to make a gift now to support Central’s Mission Ministry.
*ensure you select the MISSIONS Fund when giving online
Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing (NMSH) Success Stories:
For the past eight years, an individual was living on the streets and in shelters. This 39-year-old man was using substances to numb his severe PTSD symptoms. NMSH moved him into an NMSH apartment in November 2023 and got him connected to a doctor who is caring for his PTSD. He is no longer using substances.
A 46-year-old man had experienced homelessness since 2020, which resulted in frequent hospital stays for frostbite and injuries. He was dependent on a cane and used alcohol to relieve his pain. He now has a healthy support system around him and recently said that he is “happy to be inside during these cold months.”
A 45-year-old single mom and domestic violence survivor was living at a shelter and because of substance abuse nearly lost custody of her child. She and her daughter are now utilizing NMSH housing and she attends an out-patient treatment program.
Established in 1988, Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing provides permanent housing in the five-county area to those experiencing homelessness and struggling with mental illness. The vision of NMSH is to make homelessness rare, brief and a one-time event.
According to Executive Director Becca Binder and Operations Director Kimberly Neibauer, NMSH is part of the national Corporation for Supportive Housing and is a partner with the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness. NMSH case managers interact with homeless individuals and families to provide housing, interaction with landlords, and budget counseling and life-skills training. Clients are connected with mental and physical healthcare. Referrals are received by Goodwill Northern Michigan shelter and street outreach teams, and Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency housing programs.
The scattered-site housing units in northwest Michigan are privately owned, and rent subsidies are provided through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. NMSH has provided safe homes for more than 50 new clients since March of 2020, with a retention rate of 95%.
Because of your financial support, NMSH has:
- Assisted 37 children who are 17-years old or younger
- Served 126 clients in 79 northwest Michigan households,
- Partnered with more than 50 area community organizations,
- Moved more than 20 people from the streets or shelters into safe housing.
We urge you to continue your financial support for this much-needed CUMC mission. Mission Committee member Jim Huckle is the CUMC liaison for Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing.
Click here to make a gift now to support Central’s Mission Ministry.
*ensure you select the MISSIONS Fund when giving online
Thank you for your continued support of Central’s Mission Ministry.
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