History: In 2004, founder Lynn Heckler recruited a core group of Christian business women who desired to offer a hand-up to women who were searching for direction and/or were bogged-down by life circumstances, where many of the founding women once walked. The founders learned about CWJC, received training and site certification, and solicited seed money to begin the local organization. CWJC of Kendall County is an affiliate of Christian Women's and Men's Job Corps, a Ministry of the WMU (Woman's Missionary Union.) St. John Lutheran Church provided the CWJC with space for computer labs, classroom, lunch room, and office. The Boerne Ministerial Alliance sanctions the CWJC of Kendall County and provides a member to its Board of Directors. This CWJC was established as an interdenominational Christian organization on December 30, 2004 and is a public non-profit 501(c) (3). CWJC opened its doors on March 7, 2005 to the first group of 11 women. This group attended a 10 week, full-time Job and Life Skills Training Program and concluded with a formal graduation. All subsequent sessions are 12 week, full-time Programs. 
| Description of Program and Services: CWJC unlocks the future for women in need by equipping them to meet their educational and vocational goals as they move from dependency to self-sufficiency learning job and life skills. The Job and Life Skills Training Program is a 12 week, full-time program and is overseen by the Board of Directors. A trained and certified Site Coordinator selects participants, assesses their needs, and evaluates their goals and achievements as they progress through the curriculum. Through our Mentor Program, CWJC assigns a mentor to each participant to encourage and guide her for a minimum of 6 months. Through our Lunch Program, participants receive a nutritional meal each day they are in session. Meals providers visit with the participants, encourage them, and engage them in socialization. CWJC selects and screens all teachers, mentors, and volunteers; operates according to policies and procedures; measures its success and opportunities through evaluations; holds participants and mentors accountable to each other with covenants; solicits pro-bono referrals and employers and community networks; and maintains certification. Participants who successfully complete the CWJC Job and Life Skills Training Program graduate and receive non-monetary support from CWJC as they pursue employment. Graduates are automatically enrolled in the CWJC Alumni Program and are encouraged to attend monthly Alumni Training classes. CWJC networks with the Chamber of Commerce, businesses, Texas Workforce Office, employment agencies, churches, and institutions of high education to facilitate opportunities for its graduates. Read graduates' testimonies |