Jobs for Life opens new doors for students

March 2, 2008
Aiken Standard - Aiken, SC

By ROB NOVIT - Senior writer

For link to online article, click here.

Soon after Iris Johnson returned to her hometown of Aiken 14 years ago, a friend mentioned a man that she might enjoy getting to know.

But Jerry Johnson was blind and had been since birth, the friend said, and Iris was skeptical and nervous about meeting him.

Still, they did go out and they fell in love, and at the wedding, Jerry played the piano and sang, "You and I."
"God has made us fall in love," the lyrics say. "It's true. I've really found someone like you."

On the day of her graduation from Christ Central's Jobs for Life program last Friday, Iris asked her husband to sing at the ceremony. Jerry chose "Wind Beneath My Wings," and as the couple made clear, he was honoring and declaring as heroes the other graduates of the program, too -- Demetria Toomer, Tony Scott, Tamela Wadford, Burnette Carter, V'Ardro Williams and Rosa Cook.

Each of them had completed 32 hours of instruction. Most had been out of the job market and may have made poor choices along the way. Jobs for Life, a national faith-based program, provided such tools as resume-writing, interview skills and conflict resolution and, perhaps most crucially, a new-found confidence.
Iris readily acknowledges she has made some mistakes in her life. Throughout their marriage, Jerry had encouraged her and had always been there for her. She had stopped by Christ Central a few months ago during a food donation drive. Iris got out of line to help with the distribution, and a volunteer, Paul Darlington, suggested she talk with another volunteer, Don Boyer, who coordinates Jobs for Life.

Iris readily acknowledges she has made some mistakes in her life. Throughout their marriage, Jerry had encouraged her and had always been there for her. She had stopped by Christ Central a few months ago during a food donation drive. Iris got out of line to help with the distribution, and a volunteer, Paul Darlington, suggested she talk with another volunteer, Don Boyer, who coordinates Jobs for Life.

She has gone on interviews recently and is hopeful of getting a job this week. But when Iris initially met Boyer and agreed to enroll in the program, she had doubts.

"I was afraid I wouldn't understand the classes," she said. "But Don helped me overcome my fears. I learned a lot more about God and how He wants us to live in everyday life, how He made us to work. The volunteers are such loving, caring people. You could see it, and I knew I was blessed."

A total of 31 people have completed Jobs for Life in five classes, and about 27 have been hired and retained jobs during that period.

"That's what attracted us to this program," said Jennifer Ramseur, an instructor. "What makes this program work is that it is faith-based. You can get a job, but you may fall back unless you make some decisions to change. We can see the difference from the first day to the last. This is my heart."

Boyer, a retired developer, had worked in ministries before moving to Aiken a few years ago. When he heard about Jobs for Life and its purpose, he immediately volunteered to serve as site coordinator, interviewing all the candidates before they begin training.

As a result, he gets a front-row seat during the eight four-hour sessions.

"People come in, and they're so shy," Boyer said. "Now they're happy, and they're standing in front of everybody and talking. This is more than finding a job; it's a life-changing experience."

At the request of Christ Central Director Judy Floyd, Jobs for Life will take on its most ambitious effort yet. Later this week the program will begin work with a new group -- about 16 teenagers and young adults.

"Judy asked me to pray about it," Boyer said. "I prayed and prayed, and God said that this is what we're supposed to do. It will work because God will make it work."

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