Relational Ministry outreach supports healthy families by freeing people from financial bondage, encouraging a hand-up through the teaching of budgeting & other life skills along with one-on-one mentoring that provides accountability and encouragement to the clients to put into practice what is learned in class.

This outreach ministry is offered to Love INC clients whether churched or not, who by continuing to call Love INC for help indicate a deeper level of need that can’t be addressed by a one-time help from a church volunteer or church GAP ministry. The classes can also be attended by church members and is free.

Some of the eligibility criteria for Love INC clients to be in this program are:

• Clients must have a source of income.
• All adults living in the home must be willing to attend the program together.
• They must bring all bills and receipts and allow finances to be monitored in a controlled environment.
• They must be willing to attend the weekly group class plus the one-hour session with a personal Budget Mentor.
• They must be physically able, mentally competent, and substance-abuse free to attend.

The client’s success is entirely dependent upon his/her level of commitment and willingness to apply the necessary disciplines in his/her life. Clients are rewarded for class attendance and for meeting with their mentor fully prepared. They are rewarded with vouchers that they can redeem for products at the 2nd Saturday Store (such as diapers & wipes, personal needs items, paper & cleaning products, and gift items), gasoline, fuel oil (requires a minimum of 10 vouchers), oil changes, and hair cuts.

The outreach ministry consists of two programs. The first program – IMAGE (“Inspiring & Motivating Adults to Generate Esteem”) is a prerequisite to acceptance in the second program – QLEM (Quality Life Education & Mentoring). IMAGE consists of 12 classes that teach how to deal with inner struggles such as low self esteem, anger, stress, finding your purpose, making good decisions, setting life goals and staying motivated. IMAGE classes include introductory budgeting classes as well.

IMAGE teachers refer clients to QLEM who seem willing and motivated to change. Prior to acceptance in the program the client must meet with Love INC’s Executive Director or Clearinghouse Director for an interview and assessment. The client is referred to a church offering the QLEM program (it may be the same church that the IMAGE class is held at or a different church). The churches QLEM Coordinator will match the new client to a volunteer mentor.

Clients attend a class, and then meet with their mentor. QLEM consists of 12 classes on financial management. Since clients typically need longer than 12 weeks to work with a mentor, the budgeting class is either repeated or followed by other life skills classes, or a Bible study class. The QLEM Coordinator selects which curriculum is most needed from a “Tool Kit” of curriculum developed and offered to churches by Love INC.

The “Tool Kit” includes the following curriculum:

• Stretching Your Money – includes shopping, cooking, gardening, preserving, and energy usage.
• Life Skills – includes time management, decision making, parenting, and healthy relationships.

Budget Mentors are professing Christians, and a member of a Christian church who understand the dynamics of budgeting and apply Christian standards to their own finances. They are familiar with record keeping (how to balance a checkbook, track expenses, reconcile a bank statement, etc.) They are willing to be a caring friend and pray for their client while at the same time adhere to the “tough love” concept. They understand and honor client confidentiality and see this ministry as an opportunity for evangelism. Two hour training is provided.

If you are interested in helping to launch a Relational Ministry outreach program in your church, call 452-3876.