Hillsdale Nonprofit Features

by Elyse Apel

Nonprofits play a critical role in Hillsdale County and the surrounding areas. Love INC of Hillsdale County, Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center, and Domestic Harmony all serve crucial needs within the community and their dedicated staff make that happen.

Here is a glimpse into each of these important organizations and their dedicated executive directors.

Jessica Hurley Fawley, Love INC. of Hillsdale County

“I’ve worn just about every hat within the organization–board member, volunteer, Clearinghouse Coordinator, and finally, Executive Director since 2020,” says Jessica Hurley Fawley, the executive director of Love INC. of Hillsdale County.

Love INC partners Hillsdale County churches together to meet needs both big and small in the community.

“What makes us different from many other social services organizations is that we strive to speak to the whole individual rather than pare them down to their immediate needs,” Jessica explains. “We look at the spiritual, emotional, relational, and physical wellbeing of each person we talk to after Christ’s example. Our goal is to connect people with people because relationships are where transformation happens.”

Jessica first moved to Hillsdale in 2013 to attend Hillsdale College, where she soon also became involved in the community through volunteering.

“I learned a lot about the level of need in Hillsdale County and grew passionate about finding a way to develop the community,” she says.

After graduating, she moved away briefly before moving back in 2018 when her husband got his dream job at the college. Soon, she was involved with Love INC.

“Growing up as a pastor’s daughter, I’ve seen firsthand the dilemma that pastors and church staff face when people show up at the door with needs,” Jessica says. “Love INC offers a unified, Christ-centered, holistic approach to benevolence that churches can trust.”

For more information or to volunteer, visit www. loveincofhillsdale.org.

Bryce Asberg, Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center

Bryce Asberg, the executive director at Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center, said that after growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Hillsdale has become home.

“While I came here for Hillsdale College, it was not long before we decided to stay and make Hillsdale County our home,” he says. Following graduation, he took the job as executive director.

“The work that pregnancy centers do to support women and families is so important and a beautiful display of the love of Christ,” Bryce explains. “My role is to provide support and leadership to our fantastic team of volunteers and staff as they meet with, listen to, and mentor the women and men who visit Helping Hands.”

Helping Hands provides a wide-range of free and confidential services, from pregnancy tests and counseling to material assistance and fatherhood classes.

“Our work ensures that no one has to face difficult pregnancy and parenting decisions alone. Whether it’s an unexpected, stressful pregnancy or difficulty raising a teenager, our team of highly-trained mentors, client advocates, and sonographers love to serve and do it with excellence,” Bryce says.

He adds that this could not be done without the continued support of the community.

“I am so grateful for the support of this community—literally hundreds of Hillsdale County residents donate to our work so that we can offer our services for free to our clients. And on top of that, many give of their talents directly by serving as volunteers and even more remember us in prayer.”

Hannah Jordan, Domestic Harmony

When Hannah Jordan first began her role as the Executive Director of Domestic Harmony, she says she was grateful for the opportunity to serve the community she grew up in.

Domestic Harmony provides free and confidential resources for those experiencing domestic violence throughout the community. They do this through emergency shelter for women, counseling classes, rental assistance, and more.

“We are there for the victim,” Hannah says. “Nobody deserves domestic violence, so they deserve nothing but free and accessible help and support.”

After growing up with her father being a prosecutor and judge, Hannah says she was very aware of how necessary a proactive approach is.

“We have individual and group supportive counseling in our emergency shelter, but we also have a prevention education program,” she explains. “We want to create awareness and we want to promote healthy relationships and how there should be a quality of respect in each relationship.”

She adds that Domestic Harmony is trying to change the narrative around domestic violence.

“There’s a lot of victim blaming within our culture,” Hannah says. “We are changing that.”