Celebrating 100 Neighbors Housed
Calvin (center) holding the keys to his home surrounded by Love INC team members.
100 neighbors housed. 100 stories of hope, perseverance, and new beginnings.
At Love INC of Mid-Delmarva, we celebrate every neighbor who moves from crisis toward stability. Reaching our 100th housed neighbor is a meaningful milestone, but more than a number, it represents 100 individual stories and 100 opportunities for our community to come together and walk alongside someone in need.
Our 100th housed neighbor, Calvin, knows what it feels like to search for help and not know where to turn.
Calvin had been staying at his sister’s home, but because of circumstances related to his probation, he could no longer remain there. Suddenly, he found himself without a place to live.
For about a month, Calvin lived in a large van.
Eventually, his daughter was able to take him in for a short time. It gave him a little stability while he worked to rebuild his life, but he still needed a place of his own.
That’s when Calvin connected with Love INC. After reaching out to Love INC, Calvin connected with Chrissy, one of our Connection Center team members, who walked alongside him and provided guidance as he worked toward finding stable housing.
When an apartment became available, Calvin was able to move in and get off the streets.
Calvin was able to provide his security deposit while Love INC helped with other financial needs, giving him the breathing room he needed while he searched for employment. Our team also helped provide furniture for his new apartment, helping turn an empty space into a home.
For Calvin, having a place to live meant more than having four walls and a roof. It meant security. It meant having somewhere to wake up each morning. It meant no longer having to live on the streets or ask others for a place to stay.
He was especially grateful because, before connecting with Love INC, he felt like he couldn't find help anywhere.
“I Have Somewhere to Be”
Today, Calvin is thankful to have a place of his own and a new sense of stability. He is also grateful for something else he discovered along the way: the church is willing to walk alongside people who are going through difficult seasons.
That has impacted the way Calvin looks at his own future. Now, he wants to help others who find themselves in a situation like his. He encourages people who are struggling to reach out to Love INC and take the first step toward improving their lives.
His message to someone who may be experiencing homelessness or another difficult season is simple:
Don’t be shy. Seek help when you need it.
Calvin’s story is now part of the Love INC story. Our 100th housed neighbor reminds us that lasting change often begins with one person reaching out and another person being willing to walk alongside them.
Through our network of local churches, volunteers, businesses, and community partners, Love INC helps neighbors move from crisis to stability through a system of love and accountability.
We don't believe in quick fixes. We believe in walking alongside our neighbors, helping them take the next step, and connecting them with the people and resources they need to build a more stable future.
Calvin once needed someone to help him find a way forward. Now, he hopes to be that person for someone else. That is what community looks like. And that is why we celebrate 100 neighbors housed.
100 stories of hope.
100 new beginnings.
100 reminders that no one has to walk through a difficult season alone.
If you or someone you know is struggling and needs help taking the next step, reach out to Love INC of Mid-Delmarva.
