Logo with tire tracks, a red heart with a blue indoor cross, a black car key fob, and the text 'Getting Started' with 'A ministry of Common Grace Ministries, Inc.' underneath.

Getting Started

Assisting Noble County residents who have unreliable transportation that can be resolved by simple car repairs

YOU MUST BE A RESIDENT OF NOBLE COUNTY, INDIANA WHO IS WORKING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES.

Getting Started is open by appointment only and is handled through the Common Grace office.

Please call our office when you arrive and we will invite you inside as soon as we are ready for your appointment. This allows you more privacy for your application and is a safety measure for our team.

How We Can Assist You

Simple Car Repairs

GETTING STARTED is a program for Simple Car Repairs. Please bring the following:

  • Proof of employment for the person who needs the vehicle to get to work, including the start of employment date.

  • Proof of auto insurance (insurance card) and vehicle ownership (registration and/or title).

  • Information about diagnostics already completed, if you have had any.

  • IDs for all members of the household, both adults and minors.

  • Proof of address that is dated within the past 30 days.

How it Works

Identification

We will need to see all of the required documentation before we are able to assist you.

  • We will help you identify any documents you will need and may help you obtain them.

  • If your ID needs to be updated, we can sometimes pay for birth certificates and other documents if the provider allows us to mail a check.

  • We may also help pay for your license once we have all of the necessary documents in hand, as per our agreement with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Make an Appointment

Call (260) 349-1942 to make an appointment to complete an application. Plan to bring a current photo identification (ID) - required for all adults, ages 18 and older.

For children under the age of 18, you must provide one of the following:

  • Birth Certificate

  • Social Security Card

  • Passport

  • Legal Documents

  • Medicaid card with the individual’s name

  • School Social Worker letter stating the child is in the household

What to Expect at Your Appointment

When you arrive, call to let the team know you have arrived. You will be invited inside as soon as they is ready for you. Our team will complete an application with you. We will discuss:

  • 30 days of income

  • 30 days of expenses

  • 5 years of work history, for all adults in the household

  • The issues you are having with your vehicle and anything you might have already tried so far to keep it running.

You will be given a Where Does Your Money Go worksheet to work through at home so you can identify your actual income & expenses.

You will also be given a list of Noble County car repair shops and towing companies to choose from in your area.

What Happens Next

After your appointment, you will need to:

  • Call our Kendallville office at (260) 349-1942 within 1-3 business days to let us know which shop you have chosen, if you have not already informed us of your preferred shop.

  • Obtain a quote for the work from your preferred shop and provide us with a copy of the quote.

  • We will contact the shop with any questions to help us determine if we are able to assist.

  • Once our determination is made, we will email you to get in touch with us to discuss any terms of assistance. For example, you may be asked to pay part of your bill before we pay the remainder; or we may ask for clarification or further documentation from you.

  • Once you have satisfied your part of any conditions, you will then call 260-349-1942 to make an appointment to return to our office to go over your Where Does Your Money Go worksheet and receive the check(s) for any amount Common Grace is able to provide to assist you.

  • Getting Started applications are held open for 30 days.

  • Getting Started is a one-time service per household.

You MUST complete your Where Does Your Money Go worksheet at home and bring it back when you come for the payout of your assistance. Failing to do this will result in delayed assistance/payouts.

Conditions That May End Services

Being dishonest on an application for services, or at any time during your relationship with any ministry of Common Grace Ministries, and/or being disrespectful to staff, volunteers, or other neighbors at any time may result in the termination of any services.

Logo for 'Getting Started,' a ministry of Common Grace Ministries, Inc., featuring tire tracks, car keys, and a heart with a cross.

Location & Hours

Getting Started

Kendallville

Main Office
2004 E Dowling Street
Kendallville, IN 46755

Mailing Address
PO Box 203
Kendallville, IN 46755

Phone
(260) 349-1942

Email
info@commongraceministries.org

HOURS
Monday & Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Wednesday
1:30 - 5:30 PM

Friday
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM and
2:00 - 4:00 PM