Future & Hope Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) definitely lives up to its name. Based in Paragould, Arkansas, Future & Hope equips women during in-depth 10-week sessions that tackle practical life skills such as basic computer skills, money management, parenting and healthy relationships blended with weekly Bible studies and mentoring.
Amanda, a CWJC participant who has been on her own since age 15, is now a 24-year-old mom with three young sons who currently live in foster care. Earning her CWJC certificate and gaining related life skills “is going to better my life and my kids’ lives and give me something solid to start with,” she said.
Pursuing the vision of “women helping women change their future and find hope,” the vision of the Paragould ministry echoes the words of Jeremiah 29:11.
“We always talk about, ‘You are who God says you are regardless of what other people have said about you or to you,’” said Carol Foster, site coordinator for Future & Hope. “They begin to get a little sense of that. I see them learning about God through the teachers here, not just in the material but in the way that they’re accepted and loved on throughout the program.”
‘The biggest thing’
“It allows us to treat them like they’re special because we know that they are, but they just haven’t seen it so often. To me that’s the biggest thing,” she said.
With a background in school counseling and prison ministry Foster said she realized there were so many needs among women and families struggling. “When I first heard of Christian Women’s Job Corps it was just like God said, ‘That’s what I want you to do,’” she said.
For Amanda — and dozens of other women who have gone through the program — Future & Hope CWJC already has made a major impact.
“I’m learning things that I probably should have learned a long time ago as far as making good choices and decisions,” Amanda shared. “Christian Women’s Job Corps gave me my faith and my hope.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — Name changed to protect participant’s privacy.
How to Pray:
- Pray for women like Amanda who are participating in the program offered by Future & Hope CWJC.
- Pray that God will continue to bless and provide for Carol Foster and Future & Hope CWJC. (TAB)
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