New direction

for Johnson

and LOVE InC

     Fred Johnson, a former truck driver, is enjoying the change in direction his career path took in May, when he was named as the new executive director for LOVE InC (LOVE in the Name of Christ) of the Greater Gowanda Area, succeeding Barb Wilkins.

     “We’re happy to have Fred on board,” commented Travis Grubbs, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and president of the Gowanda-area LOVE InC Board. “We are pleased that the Lord led us to such a talented, caring individual who can help continue to lead LOVE InC in meeting the needs of people in our community.”

     According to Johnson, major surgery on his back and a desire to work closer to home were contributing factors in the career change. Johnson lives in Cottage with his wife, Nancy, 17-year-old daughter, Caly, and 13-year-old son, Ethan.

     Johnson remarked that his work with LOVE InC, a volunteer-based, non-profit group that provides services within the Gowanda Central School District, “fits right in with where our family is headed spiritually.” He and Nancy have only one more year of training left in order to complete the Diocese of Buffalo’s five-year deacon formation program.

     The Johnsons take seven classes per semester at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora. One class is held on a weeknight and the rest are scheduled one weekend per month.

     The curriculum includes learning basic counseling skills, and the Johnsons are required to do a field ministry. Currently, he is leading a Scripture study and working with the youth board at St. Aloysius Church in Springville. Along with Nancy, he is also planning family activities that are slated to begin at the church in the fall.

     These experiences have been good preparation for Johnson as he takes on the new challenge of guiding the local chapter of LOVE InC in its goal of helping churches help people. “Christ has no hands but ours,” Johnson observed.

     LOVE InC of the Greater Gowanda Area is part of a national organization with 126 chapters. The organization was founded in 1977 and has been affiliated with World Vision since 1988.

     “The basic plan of LOVE InC is a clearinghouse-type approach where we work with all denominations to provide services to God’s people in need,” Johnson said. “This system cuts down on the amount of duplication of services. We can refer people to the agency that can best help them.

     “We work hand-in-hand with the ministers of the area churches,” Johnson continued. Local churches affiliated with LOVE InC are Collins Center United Methodist, Gowanda Assembly of God, Gowanda Free Methodist, Gowanda First Presbyterian, Immanuel Lutheran, Perrysburg/Dayton United Methodist, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic, St. Mary’s Episcopal and Trinity United Church of Christ.

     Our office works through a coordinator in each church,” Johnson explained. “We have volunteers who do a variety of tasks for people. Some examples are mowing lawn, painting or cleaning for people who are physically or financially unable to do it.”

     Johnson noted, “We have a van that we have use of through Healthy Community Alliance and the Ford Dealers of Western New York, which is used to transport people in need to appointments in the Western New York area.” He added that priority is given to medical appointments, but transportation can be provided for shopping, paying bills and other purposes as well.

     Food, clothing and furniture are available through LOVE InC’s association with the Gowanda Food Pantry and the Gowanda Clothing and Household Pantry. Other services offered are emergency funds, budget counseling, job counseling, crisis counseling, crisis services, prayer support and visitation.

     Requests for help may come from a local church, community organization or the person in need. LOVE InC offers assistance to all people regardless of religious beliefs, gender, race or ethnic background.

     LOVE InC volunteers take calls at 532-3541 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon. A message can be left on the answering machine at other times.

     The LOVE InC staff will collect information, verify the need and then refer the request to the appropriate service provider. LOVE InC also follows up on each referral to determine the effectiveness of the response and to see if there is a need for further assistance. “If we can’t help, we can usually find someone who can through our connections with other service agencies," Johnson submitted.

     LOVE InC has cooperative relationships with Alliance House, Catholic Charities, the Gernatt Family Foundation, the Gowanda Sevice Unit of the Salvation Army, Gowanda Women’s Aglow, Healthy Community Alliance, the L.K. Painter Community Center, Moms and Tots, CAO Southtowns Head Start Gowanda Center, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, TLC Health Network, Tri-County Crisis Pregnancy Center and Recovery Plus Zoar Valley.

     In addition,Johnson spoke about some new initiatives that LOVE InC is undertaking. The organization is working out arrangements with Coach USA to transport people to Buffalo for appointments. LOVE InC volunteer drivers would meet the bus in the Irving area.

     Johnson mentioned that another focus is calling the community’s youth together to serve others. “We’re going through each church and trying to get the youth involved by mowing lawns and doing community service,” he said.

     Johnson set up an informational table during Gowanda’s Pioneer Days and is making appointments to do presentations at all of the participating churches. He is gathering the names of people who are willing to volunteer and having them fill out a questionnaire about the service they are able to provide.

     Another way that people are lending a hand is through fund-raisers sponsored by local churches. The Gowanda Assembly of God Church recently held a worship and praise service to benefit LOVE InC, raising nearly $600. The Gowanda Free Methodist Church youth group is pIanning to donate some of the proceeds from its upcoming 30-hour fast. On behalf of LOVE InC, Johnson expressed appreciation for the community's generous donaton and participation.