Work Force - Partnership provides faith-based job training
2004-08-02 by Jennifer Hodson of The Daily Times Staff

Carol Ford said she felt like she was ``on top of the world.''

Ford was one of the first four graduates of the newly started Jobs Partnership program, which partners churches and businesses to teach job skills in a faith-based atmosphere.

``I feel like any challenge set in front of me right now I could just run with it and tackle it,'' Ford said shortly after a graduation ceremony held Thursday at Embassy Christian Center on Old Niles Ferry Road in Maryville.

Ford was a waitress prior to joining the class and said she did not enjoy restaurant work.

She first heard about the program one Sunday in church, and she and her sister agreed to enroll together.

``I went half and half with her,'' Ford said. ``I said, `If you do it, I'll do it.''

Now Ford said she is much happier with her career. She is performing marketing promotion and front desk clerk work for an area hotel. She is also doing marketing for a Sevierville coupon-book publisher looking to expand into the Maryville market.

Ford's sister, Mari Harbison, was working as a housekeeper in a local nursing home when she started participating in Jobs Partnership.

She said that more than just helping her establish a career -- she has decided to go back to school to become a registered nurse -- the program gave her much needed confidence and a sense of self-worth.

``Before the class, I didn't know if I actually had a purpose in life,'' she said. ``Now I know God has a purpose for me, and I need to fulfill that purpose He's given me.''

Harbison said the most valuable lesson she learned in the program, by far, was: ``I am an important person -- in God's eyes and in my own.''

Deborah Taylor, executive director of the Blount County Jobs Partnership initiative, said for the inaugural 12-week session of classes, the program had around 10 church partners and five business partners.

The local program is based on the founding work of businessman Chris Magnum and Rev. Donald McCoy, who in 1996 decided that businesses and churches could work together to meet mutual needs in Raleigh, N.C.

Now the program has expanded to include more than 100 churches and 100 businesses in Raleigh and nearly 30 affiliate programs across the country.

Classes meet twice a week. Each week's first class, called the ``Keys Class,'' is taught by a pastor and uses the Bible as its textbook.

The second class each week, the ``Steps Class,'' is taught by a human resources professional and covers such topics as job interviews and preparing resumes. The textbook is ``What Color Is Your Parachute?''

Taylor said the classes were about more than just teaching people how to function in the work force -- they also encouraged each student to figure out his or her unique calling in life.

For example, graduate Johnny ``Steve'' McKee Jr. gained the confidence and motivation to pick up a long-abandoned dream of becoming a science fiction writer.

He said the most valuable lesson of the program was that ``the Bible has more relevance in today's society and the workplace than I gave it credit for.''

Graduate Ann St. Clair, 65, said she had been having trouble finding a job before enrolling in the program but was leery about signing up for Jobs Partnership because of her age.

She heard about the program through a neighbor.

``It was nothing like I expected,'' she said.

She said that even though companies are not supposed to discriminate against people based on their age, finding a job at 65 is tough.

``They say they don't discriminate, but they do,'' she said.

Through the program, however, she learned how to present herself better, how to thrive in job interviews and that ``I didn't have to take the first job I was offered,'' she said.

St. Clair is now working in retail at the Alcoa Cracker Barrel, a job she said she loves.

``I don't care what age you are, there's a lot of learning in these 12 weeks,'' she said. ``If you're going to be a ditch digger or an executive, you're going to learn something in this program.''

To get involved:

The next 12-week Jobs Partnership session begins Sept. 9.

Both church and business volunteers are needed. Churches help provide transportation and child care for students. They are also asked to prepare one meal a month for participants. Businesses assist with training and help students learn about what various careers entail.

The program also needs mentors who will agree to check in with students at least once a week for a year, offering encouragement, guidance and sometimes transportation.

Anyone wanting to volunteer or enroll as a student can call 567-4248 for more information.

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