Newsletter Summer 2024
Your Generosity is a Blessing to Us
It has been a very busy few months for Lifehouse, and it doesn’t appear that it will slow down any time soon. This issue of Beginnings has great information about all the wonderful support provided to Lifehouse by you and so many others. It takes a lot of people praying, giving, and doing to make things happen at Lifehouse Maternity Home.
You will find a lot of stories in this issue about the many ways our maternity house is funded. Lifehouse is privately supported through the generosity of God’s people, grants, and fundraising events. We receive no government funding to support our $630,000 budget and 24/7/365 operations. Because of the generous hearts of so many people, Lifehouse has operated this way for over 16 years, loving and caring for women and children in their most difficult and vulnerable times. You have been such a blessing to Lifehouse in 2024. So far we have had a record-setting Unity for Life appeal and a record-setting Tee Up “FORE” Life Golf Scramble. We pray that we will continue to set records for Give for Good and our Year End Appeal as well. I have always said that it is God who funds our mission, and He will continue to do so as long as He sees fit.
So where does that budget go, you might ask? Well a hefty portion goes to programming support through Case Management, House Moms working around the clock, program planning, educational materials and subscriptions for participant programs, utilities to keep lights on and water flowing, household supplies and repairs, and so on. Over 66% of our budget is allocated directly for programming support that benefits our participants. Approximately 23% is for outreach and development, which includes things like this newsletter, social media, website, postage, brochures, and activities that help us reach more potential donors and participants. Only 11% is designated for administrative costs such as bookkeeping software and staff, office supplies, and management. We consider ourselves faithful stewards of your gifts, and I am happy to discuss our budget and activities with you at any time.
Our programming leadership just spent a few months reviewing our program, introducing new processes and eхресtations, and defining our purpose and goal for each woman we will serve.We’ve welcomed back a great Case Manager, added new House Moms, and moved a staff member into a new position as Program Director, and she is thriving. Our Development Director did an outstanding job on the Golf Scramble, and our Office Manager/Bookkeeper has located over $3,300 in funds, going back a few years, that were being directed to the wrong address. We have an amazing team! I just passed five years of service to Lifehouse, and I look forward to what the next five years will bring.
Thank you for your faithfulness to our mission. We couldn’t do it without you. We remember you in our weekly staff meeting prayers, and we will gladly lift up any prayer concerns you may have. Feel free to email prayer requests to dnelkirk@ lifehouselouisville.org. May God bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you, and give you peace.