Three women are closer to realizing their academic pursuits thanks to Christian Women’s Job Corps® (CWJC) and a scholarship from the WMU Foundation.

Carolina Martinez Muñoz came to CWJC “to build a better life for her family, and she knows that finishing her education is where it begins,” said Andrea Waters, site coordinator for Begin Anew, a CWJC site in Madison, Tennessee. “Carolina has a beautiful, caring spirit of resilience and is the most selfless person I have ever met. Although she struggles with the demands of being a single mom of two beautiful children under the age of 10, she goes above and beyond to help others and works diligently to provide a better life for her children.”

Waters shared that after working long hours as a receptionist, Muñoz comes to class ready to work and is often heard encouraging others and offering assistance as a translator to those who have not yet mastered the English language.

“Carolina loves Jesus Christ and is a very talented, intelligent, and persevering young woman, filled with goals and determination,” said Karla Drolick, her CWJC mentor.

Muñoz says she thanks God for everything. And in everything, she strives to be an example for her two kids. She will use her scholarship to help with the costs of childcare, school uniforms for her growing children, and gas as she travels to work and school daily.

Walking in Faith in Texas

“When Valerie began our program in 2023, she was living in a homeless shelter, taking the bus and often biking part of the way,” said Juliane Wiebracht, former site coordinator of Christian Job Corps of Gregg County in Longview, Texas. “She was a new believer and so hungry to know the Lord.”

A sharp contrast to two years prior, a time when Valerie Tabb says she was at the end of it all.

“I did not know anything about the Bible because I had never read it,” Tabb reflected. “I was not sure that I even believed that God existed but I was afraid to kill myself. I was just praying, to whoever was listening, that I wouldn’t wake up. There I was, living with my drug dealer. I had no family left as they had all disowned me.

“But on May 19, 2022, my life forever changed and I will never be the same again,” she declared. “On that day, I gave my whole life to the Lord and I told Him that I would follow Him wherever He would take me. I had to leave the life I was living and everything that came with it to become the person God created me to be.”

From there Tabb went to Hiway 80 Women’s Rescue Mission in Longview, Texas, and was referred to CWJC.

“I have been blessed with the most amazing women of God (through CWJC) that are still a huge part of my life today, but my journey doesn’t stop there,” she said. “It keeps going.”

Tabb graduated from the CWJC program and was accepted to Calvary Commission Bible Institute where she completed a certificate in biblical studies and is currently working to obtain an associate’s degree in theology.

“Valerie plans to spend her life in ministry to Jesus,” Wiebracht said. “She is already actively sharing her faith in children’s ministry and is signed up to become more involved in the jail ministry as well. Valerie is a beautiful example of one who has been forgiven much and therefore loves Jesus much. He was the One who changed her life, but what an honor to be water and watch her grow. To God be all the glory!”

Tabb will use the scholarship she received for tuition, books, and a missions trip.

“I am so grateful to God for allowing me these opportunities to testify about His goodness and am looking forward to everything that He has for me,” she said.

Breaking Free in Mississippi

Brandi Osborn says for nearly 25 years, she lived a life marked by exploitation, enduring a cycle of abuse, incarceration, and control by those who sought to profit from her vulnerability. Then about 3 years ago, a defining moment occurred when she found herself once again in jail serving a year and half sentence.

“Having been estranged by my family for most of the 25 years I lived in addiction and chaos, I felt a deep longing to reconnect with them,” Osborn said. “I was utterly exhausted by the destructive cycle of my life. Desperate for change, I finally surrendered. On my knees in my cell, I poured my heart out to God, pleading for forgiveness, healing, and restoration with my family.

“Miraculously, the very next day, a lifeline appeared,” she continued. “A guard handed me a piece of paper with my sister’s phone number. It was in that instant I knew my prayers had been answered. With renewed faith, I opened my Bible and began to read, marking the start of my journey back to God and to my family.”

After her release from prison, Osborne entered a Christian rehab program. “There, I developed a deeper relationship with Jesus, which was essential to my healing and self-discovery,” she reflected. “I started to understand who I really was, beyond my past mistakes.”

This journey of faith then led her to the Gulf Coast Christian Women’s Job Corps in Gulf Coast, Mississippi.

“The staff and fellow participants welcomed me with open arms, offering unwavering support and encouragement. There I found a safe haven where I could grow and learn. More importantly, I found a community of women who believed in me, who celebrated my successes, and who helped me build a strong foundation for my future.”

Through CWJC, Osborne earned a GED, obtained several certifications, and is now enrolled in college.

“Brandi shows perseverance, commitment, and the desire to live differently,” said Diane Bennett, CWJC site coordinator. “She shares her testimony with current participants and encourages them to be strong have faith and trust in God.”

Brandi is currently working three jobs and attends Pearl River Community College full time where she is pursuing an associate degree in medical billing and coding. The scholarship she received will help with tuition.

“Through my faith in God and the support of CWJC, I am finally breaking free from the chains of my past,” Osborne declared. “My relationship with Jesus has been the cornerstone of my recovery, guiding me through challenges and giving me hope for the future. I hope my story inspires others facing similar struggles, showing that with faith, perseverance, and the support of a caring community, it is never too late to find hope and healing.”

Sybil Bentley Dove Endowment

Faye Dove Wright established the Sybil Bentley Dove Endowment in 1998 in honor of her mother with the intention of benefitting women who are rebuilding their lives. This endowment supports Christian Women’s Job Corps by providing scholarships to participants, program development grants for sites, and a grant for Dove award recipients. Visit wmufoundation.com to learn more or to support this endowment.

by Julie Walters, WMU Corporate Communications