Mosaic CWJC of the Mainland, Texas, is excited for the potential of two new initiatives with the help of a grant from the WMU Foundation: (1) the development of a Christian Men’s Job Corps and (2) offering training in NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) classes.

“Galveston County needs this ministry for men and the NCCER training will be a plus for our chemical plant industry in Texas City, Texas,” said Vivian Guidry who serves at Mosaic CWJC of the Mainland. “We have job opportunities here in this area but many unqualified applicants so a grant will help this program deliver training to help these participants become more employable.”

Christian Women’s Job Corps®/Christian Men’s Job Corps® (CWJC®/CMJC) is a compassion ministry of WMU. CWJC/CMJC sites offer classes, resources, mentoring, Bible study, and more as participants gain self-confidence, purpose, direction, and hope for the future.

About 200 miles down the road, CWJC Austin, known as River City Hope Street, serves approximately 375 participants annually and operates four programs in the community based on a recent needs assessment.

“Because of the input we have received from current needs, we continue to focus internationally with our English as a Second Language (ESL) program and citizenship classes along with the two trades programs that can provide newly transitioning families an opportunity to thrive here,” explained Maryum Boyd, executive director of River City Hope Street.

The two trades programs they offer are a pre-apprentice electrical program and a pre-apprentice plumbing program.

“We have students who represent over 30 different countries attend our programs,” Boyd said. “One student in particular went through our pre-apprentice electrical program. He was an incredible student who got laid off from his job prior to attending our program. Once he graduated from our program, our instructor was so impressed by his hard work that he hired him on with his company.”

Chris Rowley, CWJC/CMJC state consultant for WMU of Texas, commented that the grant River City Hope Street received will be especially beneficial due to the number of participants they are serving.

“They are providing high quality instruction using professional curriculum and trained volunteers,” Rowley said. “It will also help take a financial stress off the students who can’t afford the workbooks.”

Additional grants will help advance these ministries as they seek to transform lives:

• CWJC of the Highland Lakes in Burnet, Texas, plans to use the grant they received to update their computers for students.

• CWJC Abilene, Texas, will use their grant toward hiring an administrative assistant.

• CWJC Paris, Texas, will use their grant to purchase office supplies and equipment.

• Pivot Ministry in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will use their grant to enhance their communication with potential participants, current participants, and alumnae.

• Women Equipped CWJC in Benton, Arkansas, will use the grant they received to help fund a part-time staff position.

 

“The WMU Foundation Board of Trustees is deeply grateful for the generosity of Faye Dove Wright whose vision and foresight established this endowment to honor her mother,” said Peggy Darby, president of the WMU Foundation. “Because of her faithfulness, we are honored to continue supporting the vital compassion ministries of WMU through grants that strengthen the work of CWJC sites. The impact being made in these communities is both inspiring and lasting, and it fulfills the very purpose for which this endowment was created.”

Each year, thousands of participants gain life and job skills in a Christian context through approximately 100 registered CWJC and CMJC sites across the United States, as well as CWJC sites in South Africa and Uganda. To learn more about CWJC/CMJC, visit christianjobcorps.com.

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.

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by Julie Walters, WMU Corporate Communications