The Rock is in 9 Marion County middle and high schools. The Rock in 3 local schools are a part of the Love INC network of resources. The purpose is to give students access to basic necessities such as food, clothing, school supplies and hygiene items.
Most importantly, The Rock gives volunteers the opportunity to build relationships with students over time and show them Love In the Name of Christ through their interactions. Volunteers at The Rock see children with a variety of difficult circumstances and are committed to engaging with them in such a way that gives them a sense of stability and of being loved, in the midst of circumstances that can be ever changing.

Let me introduce you to some of the students that volunteers got to know during the last school year.

Shelby came to the school office to ask to look through the lost and found. Other students were making fun of her for wearing the same clothes every day and she felt embarrassed. School staff brought her to The Rock. Matt, Christie and Luke are siblings. They were placed with a foster family because of crimes their parents had committed, and family drug use. They were not allowed to return home to retrieve personal belongings, and a baby sibling, Jill, was separated from them and was placed in a different foster home. They were feeling the sting of devastation and loss. Esther shared that her mother had left their family and was now homeless in AZ, and their refrigerator had broken down. She did not speak about her father. Lizzie visited and was picking out food she thought her sister Candice would like. Candice is not in school because she has cancer. Fran was living with her grandmother along with a three year old sibling and an infant sibling. Fran was clearly in need of larger shoes and clean clothes. She mentioned the 3 yr old and baby needed clothes too. Elliot came into The Rock wearing oversized flip flops and mismatched socks. James was excited to share that his baby sister was born. Sadly though, she was in the NICU with pneumonia because she aspirated amniotic fluid before she was born. Later that day, his older sister Lanie came in asking for a coat, because it was cold outside and she didn’t own one. She also needed some other clothes, and shared that the family did not have enough money to get things for the baby and purchase clothes for her.

Volunteers at The Rock provided Shelby with five new outfits. They cried with Matt, Christie and Luke. Then volunteers comforted, prayed with, and gave them new clothes and hygiene products. Esther gathered food for her family from shelves stocked for this reason. Lizzie took food home to her sister Candice. Elliot received a new pair of shoes, which undoubtedly he will grow out of soon, and some new socks. James and Lanie were given clothing and food. Fran and her family were given shoes and clothes, and a number to a local clothing pantry so they could get clothes for the younger siblings.

All of these children were met by compassionate volunteers who have taken the time to listen to their stories and give what comfort and stability they can. Their circumstances didn’t change. Even still, investment in Love INC ensures that these children know that they are not alone.