Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Offering a ‘Fresh Start’



Lisa Green believes Love INC-Heartland’s “Fresh Start” classes truly help neighbors in need, and it’s not just because she is coordinator of the program.

She has testimonials to prove it.

“A lady came in as a single parent. We worked with her years ago,” Green said. “She started in the Fresh Start program, but walked away. She disappeared for whatever reason. We didn’t hear from her for a couple years.”

When she returned to Love INC, she said she was at rock bottom, needed a change, and would try a “Fresh Start” class again.

“At the very last class, she said when she walked into class she had no purpose in the direction she was going,” Green said. “Now, she has a purpose and dreams she had given up on. Her circumstances hadn’t changed much, but her attitude had. She is still working with us.”

Another woman came to the class after her marriage of 36 years had ended.

“She didn’t have skills or education to fall back on,” Green said. “The class helped her rethink her dreams and goals.”

A teenager who took one of the classes decided to be one of the first people in his family to go to college.

Another couple came in to Love INC amidst problems in their marriage.

“They started walking together and finding they needed to work together more,” Green said. “They strengthened their marriage. This was something they could do together. Otherwise, they were drifting apart.”

So, what exactly are “Fresh Start” classes?

There are three core classes titled “Affirming Potential,” “Faith and Finance,” and “Boundaries” that are 12 weeks long.

“Affirming Potential” is required to be the first class everyone in the program takes.

According to the class description, “You can start a life-changing, life-long journey to face and accept your past, to better understand your present, and to embrace your future. Affirming potential is built upon the word of God, and speaks His truth and love into each participant.”

“That one is one that addresses the whole person,” Green said. “It’s a good foundation. It works with dreaming, goal-setting, and making steps to meet goals.”

She said it addresses four areas that are thought of as the four wheels on a vehicle. In this case, the wheels are physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational.

“Sometimes, situations come up because one or more of those wheels are broken,” Green said. “If you could address them, it’s a good foundation, and a lot of other classes will be more successful.”

Faith and finance “helps you track and budget your finances. This allows you to take control of your money, so your money won’t control you.”

The Boundaries course “explains when to say yes and how to say no, helping you take control of your life.”

There are also four eight-week classes:

• “Successful Living,” which “equips you with coping skills to handle everyday stresses in life.”

• The “Book of John,” which “teaches how to study the Bible and tells about the life of Christ.”

• The “Let’s Cook” class “teaches you how to prepare delicious, budget-friendly, and healthy meals for you to take home to share with your family.

• The parenting class “reveals why your kids do what they do and how you can change your child’s attitude, behavior, and character.”

About 100 people have participated in classes.

Each neighbor in need receives incentives such as groceries, gas vouchers, and gift certificates to the Love INC-Heartland thrift shops. Childcare is also offered for neighbors in need.

Participants can receive additional incentives for referring friends or loved ones who go on to participate in a class for at least four weeks.

Community members can also participate or volunteer by calling Green at 763-972-6547, option 3; but are not eligible for incentives. While all courses are free for neighbors in need, community members must pay for the “Faith and Finances” course, due to the materials involved.

Green believes the classes fit well with Love INC’s mission, which is “to mobilize local churches to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ.”

“Transforming is not just giving someone a voucher to get clothing,” Green said. “Transforming is re-educating mindsets, attitudes, and behaviors. It’s a hand up, not a handout. When you just give a handout, that’s not transforming.”

“We don’t give a person a fish,” Love INC-Heartland Director Terri Mills Harris added. “We don’t just teach them to fish. We help them realize they were created with the capacity to be an excellent fisherman.”

Green believes the “Fresh Start” classes are successful in doing so. The stats seem to support that, as she estimates that 80 to 90 percent of people who start a class finish it, and 60 to 70 percent take more classes.

The three core classes run through April 15, followed by eight-week classes through June 17, and another round of core classes in the fall.

All classes take place each Monday at 6 p.m., with a meal at 5:30 p.m., at the Village Evangelical Free Church located at 5725 County Road 11, Maple Plain.

If interested in taking a class or volunteering, contact Green at the number above.

“Fresh Start” classes are supported by contributions from churches and individuals, as well as grant funds, such as from the Delano-Loretto United Way.

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