Today's Monday Mission Moment was suggested by Jan Edmiston of A Church For Starving Artists.
Jan wrote us about a project at her church that trains residents of a local shelter in computer skills that enable them to have jobs that provide both income and benefits for their families. Here is the story in her own words:
Several years ago, a church member who had recently served dinner at a local shelter commented "Wouldn't it be great to teach the residents of that shelter job skills so they could sustain themselves in a home with a job, etc." The whole "teach a person to fish" idea.
She was a computer science major who drew up a plan to open a computer lab in our church building for low income residents. The elders voted to give her a chunk of money (the first miracle) and several rooms. She quit her regular job and now -- five years later -- we have an award-winning mission that involves:
- adult students invited via the reduced-lunch list in schools (they are parents of reduced-lunch kids in local public schools)
- 6 months of computer and employment skills and mentoring for $100 staffed by over 60 volunteers
- presentation of computers six weeks into the program to take home and keep, (which means that their children now have computers for homework, etc.)
- graduation at the end of the course in what has become the most inspiring event in the life of our congregation. Better than Easter. More inspiring than ordination!
Students come from many countries and arrive with no skills but leave with jobs, dental benefits, etc. It is awesome. Check it out at: http://www.computercore.org/
Thanks, Jan, for sharing this unique and exciting approach to job training and mission. If you have a suggestion for the monthly Monday Mission Moment feature at RevGalBlogPals please email us at Mission Moment--click the link on the right sidebar of the RGBP blog.
Jan wrote us about a project at her church that trains residents of a local shelter in computer skills that enable them to have jobs that provide both income and benefits for their families. Here is the story in her own words:
Several years ago, a church member who had recently served dinner at a local shelter commented "Wouldn't it be great to teach the residents of that shelter job skills so they could sustain themselves in a home with a job, etc." The whole "teach a person to fish" idea.
She was a computer science major who drew up a plan to open a computer lab in our church building for low income residents. The elders voted to give her a chunk of money (the first miracle) and several rooms. She quit her regular job and now -- five years later -- we have an award-winning mission that involves:
- adult students invited via the reduced-lunch list in schools (they are parents of reduced-lunch kids in local public schools)
- 6 months of computer and employment skills and mentoring for $100 staffed by over 60 volunteers
- presentation of computers six weeks into the program to take home and keep, (which means that their children now have computers for homework, etc.)
- graduation at the end of the course in what has become the most inspiring event in the life of our congregation. Better than Easter. More inspiring than ordination!
Students come from many countries and arrive with no skills but leave with jobs, dental benefits, etc. It is awesome. Check it out at: http://www.computercore.org/
Thanks, Jan, for sharing this unique and exciting approach to job training and mission. If you have a suggestion for the monthly Monday Mission Moment feature at RevGalBlogPals please email us at Mission Moment--click the link on the right sidebar of the RGBP blog.
Cool Jan. That is a great idea. And that a layperson was inspired and carried out, others jumped on board. Isn't God great!
ReplyDeleteWow, inspiring and brilliant all in one post! Thanks for sharing Jan!
ReplyDeleteterrific. I loved reading about this mission!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great ministry!
ReplyDeleteI love these mission moments!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing such a cool idea.
ReplyDelete