Agape Financial was established in 2009 to help individuals and families find their way out of poverty. This faith-based organization matches clients with caring, volunteer mentors who help them learn financial management skills.

At Agape, we understand that charity helps people survive, but it doesn’t help them acquire the skills that enable them to escape from poverty. That path out of poverty is a long and difficult one, especially for those who have lived in its grip for an extended period of time. Few individuals manage to complete the journey without guidance from mentors.

MISSION AND VALUES

Mission
The mission of Agape Financial of Northwest Michigan, a faith-based organization run by low-income people working for the benefit of low-income people, is to provide affordable loans and free financial mentoring and advocacy.

Values
1. We seek to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ to everything we do in the name of Agape Financial and witness to the love of God as exemplified by the life of His Son.
2. Agape is not aligned with any denomination or religious organization.
3. We welcome volunteers and partners of all faiths.
4. Prospective clients do not have to meet religious criteria of any kind as a condition of receiving services and are not expected to alter their faith during the process of receiving these services.
5. Our volunteers and staff are welcome to express their faith to clients and may invite them to attend their church but are cautioned to keep their evangelistic efforts at a low key.
6. We will confront and expose businesses that take unfair advantage of low-income people because of their economic circumstances, desperation, and lack of financial education and skills.
7. We will work with mainstream financial institutions to encourage them to market affordable financial services to low-income people.

History

Agape Financial of Northwest Michigan has its roots in another mentoring program called Family Partnership, coordinated by The Presbyterian Church of Traverse City, MI. One of the program participants had an automobile accident and her car was totaled. Her mentor was successful in helping her find a low-cost replacement, but they were only able to find financing at extraordinarily high rates. That was when the idea for Agape Financial was born.

The organization works to provide low-income people with tools to help themselves climb out of poverty, coupled with resources such as microloans to help them with short-term financial needs.

A steering committee, organized in March, 2009, turned into the organization’s board of directors that June. It became a Michigan Nonprofit Corporation in May of that year.

Board

The program is run by a board of directors composed entirely of people living in poverty. This unique structure empowers them to become leaders by assuming responsibility for guiding the organization and providing peer-to-peer relationships.

Five volunteer advisors also attend all board meetings but have no vote.