How Love INC Is Transforming Lives Across Montana

“Poverty is a mindset, and the number one poverty indicator is a lack of relationships,” says Lisa Goodman, Executive Director of Love INC South Lincoln County.

That might sound surprising at first, but it’s exactly why Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ) isn’t just about handouts, it’s about transformation. In places like Billings, Libby and Troy, Love INC is walking alongside people, helping them shift from just surviving to truly thriving.

Local Churches Stepping Up to Make a Difference

In South Lincoln County, 11 local churches have come together with a common goal: to bring restoration and hope to their communities. Goodman says they’ve seen more and more families struggling and not just those below the poverty line, but the working poor too.

“There’s a growing gap between working families and those who qualify for help,” she explains. “That’s where our Gap Ministries step in to fill the holes.”

Meeting Real Needs with Real People

Love INC is a national nonprofit, but everything it does is grounded in the local church. Each chapter connects people to help through something called a Connection Center, basically a central hub, and then steps in with support where other services fall short.

That might mean classes on financial literacy, parenting, or job skills. It could mean providing firewood, clothing, or transportation. But at the heart of it all, it’s about building relationships and restoring dignity.

It’s Not Just Help, It’s Transformation

In Billings, Valerie Young is the new Executive Director of Love INC Yellowstone County, and she’s already seeing how powerful those relationships can be.

“We’re not just handing out stuff,” she says. “When people take our classes, they build community. They start to form real support systems. Eventually, they have someone they can call when they’re struggling, or even just to share a meal.”

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A Place to Land When Life Falls Apart

The Yellowstone County chapter works with 20 churches and also offers transitional housing through two local apartments. And starting August 4, they’re launching a new round of free classes that anyone in the community can attend. These classes are designed to do more than teach, they’re meant to empower.

Celebrating 30 Years of Hope Across Montana

Love INC has been part of Montana’s story for 30 years now. The Gallatin Valley chapter, Montana’s oldest and largest, recently celebrated that milestone with a community gala. With more than 50 churches on board, this chapter offers just about everything from trauma recovery and life skills classes to car repairs, home repairs, furniture, and even services in Spanish.

New Homes, New Partnerships, and New Life in Lewistown

In Lewistown, Heart of Montana Love INC is finding new ways to serve. Along with parenting classes and firewood help, they’ve opened a new restorative home for women in crisis and partnered with Promise686 to support foster families.

Their 13 partner churches also run ministries like thrift store vouchers, Christmas baskets, and food assistance, meeting people wherever they are.

Every Community, Every Need

The beauty of Love INC is that no two chapters look exactly alike. Each one tailors its programs to what the local community truly needs.

“Whether it’s classes or gap ministries, everything we do is about helping people become more stable and self-reliant,” says Young. “And we create space for churches to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their neighborhoods.”

More Than Just a Quick Fix

Goodman says the long-term goal isn’t just to help with one crisis, it’s to address what’s really going on underneath.

“We might help someone with an urgent need, but our focus is on the root cause. When we build relationships, we help people move forward and build sustainable lives.”

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Through Hard Times

“Love INC mobilizes churches to care for their neighbors where the need is greatest,” says Danielle Barth, Executive Director at Heart of Montana Love INC. “Sometimes the need is financial, but often it’s emotional or spiritual.”

Dean Hampton, who leads the Gallatin County chapter, adds: “We want to resolve the root of the crisis, not just put a band-aid on the surface.”

Want to Get Involved?

Love INC is always looking for new volunteers and supporters to join their mission. Backed by churches, the national Love INC network, the Gianforte Family Foundation, and generous donors, the organization continues to grow, but they can’t do it alone.