A Journey of Transformation

Barbara didn’t first come to Love INC looking for help—she came looking for purpose.

She had a desire to grow closer to God, to better understand His presence in her life, and to align her steps with something deeper. She was already exploring ways to serve, initially looking for volunteer opportunities through her church. But when those schedules didn’t align, she was invited to consider serving with Love INC.

She said yes.

What started as a simple step into volunteering quickly became something more. Barbara began serving in the Help Center, supporting mailings, assisting with REACH, and showing up wherever there was a need. She didn’t wait for her circumstances to change—she chose to serve right in the middle of them.

At the time, Barbara was navigating significant challenges. She was working to rebuild stability, searching for consistent employment, and facing uncertainty around housing—all while staying committed to reconnecting with her teenage daughter and rebuilding that relationship.

But even in that season, Barbara’s posture was clear: keep showing up.

As relationships formed, opportunities followed. Through connections within the network, Barbara was encouraged to pursue employment at The Portico Café. What began as a conversation turned into an opportunity—and another step forward.

At the same time, she leaned deeper into the community. From serving meals to the unhoused, to participating in cold weather shelter efforts, to faithfully engaging in REACH, Barbara became more than a volunteer—she became a pillar within the community.

Her joy stood out.

Not because everything was easy—but because her faith was growing. Her willingness to serve, even while walking through her own challenges, became a reflection of her trust that God was still at work.

In a note she shared with our team, Barbara wrote:

“You believed in me when I had stopped believing in myself… The love, compassion, encouragement, and motivation you poured into me made giving up no longer an option.”