
ALUMNI -Vicki Lockhart- EMPLOYER -Coyne, Inc.- Employed WHILE in school When I interviewed Vicki, she was both excited and determined that her life was going to change -- but how would she manage going to school as a widow, without income? Although I admired her determination to get a night job and quit her day job so she could attend the CWJC Program, I also realized the importance of a paycheck during the 12-week session. CWJC is a "job and life skills training program" not an employment agency. We do not advise our potential students to quit employment in order to gain a more rewarding career. A few days before meeting with Vicki, I spoke with one of the owners of Coyne, Inc. She was interested in interviewing our CWJC graduates who might still be looking for employment. It occurred to me that Vicki and Coyne, Inc. might be a fit for each other while Vicki attended school. Coyne, Inc. did hire Vicki to work part time while Vicki attended CWJC. After a few weeks, Vicki realized that she would need to get another part-time job to subsidize her hourly wage with Coyne Inc. Before Vicki could pursue another job, the owner told her that she and her husband had been praying about Vicki's situation. They made a decision to pay Vicki a salary, verses an hourly wage, so that Vicki could meet her needs and attend school. Coyne Inc. also provided Vicki with a computer, advanced soft-ware training, and taught her to keep their books -- Vicki had a full-time job with Coyne, Inc. immediately after graduation. Wow! Women (and men) helping women. Thank you Coyne, Inc. for your servant's heart. -By Diane Williams-
| TEACHER -Lynda Harris- Being a part of the Christian Women's Job Corps of Kendall County has been such a joyful, blessed experience. Having been a minister's wife for nearly 50 years, I have taught Bible to women's groups for nearly all that time. But the women I have taught before, for the most part, have had a certain amount of Bible knowledge and orientation as well as a predictable response. Not so in CWJC! It has been so refreshing to have different levels of Bible knowledge or none at all in one small group. The individual responses to the Beth Moore study, BREAKING FREE, have come slowly, like the petals of a rose opening from bud to full bloom. Shy, and slow to contribute until they are comfortable with the teachers as well as with each other, the girls grow from "what's this going to be all about?," to asking questions about everything, revealing their spiritual struggles, and sharing their new understanding as the Holy Spirit is ever-faithful to lead them to the truth. Watching Him work in their lives is PRICELESS! I praise the Father for the [6] six semesters I've had with the committed CWJC volunteers, as well. Diane Williams, the Site Coordinator, overflows with visible love and compassion for each and every woman. Watching a community respond to the needs of the women by providing meals, clothing and other services is a reminder of how the body of Christ can function as He meant for it to - in unity, with all the glory going to Him! "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever" (Romans 11:36). -By Linda Harris-
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ALUMNI -Nancy Vadnais- EMPLOYER - Wal Mart - My 12 weeks in the CWJC program brought many changes in my life. It gave me a renewal of my self esteem. "I can do it" replaced my thought of "I can't do that anymore". I fellowshiped with eight wonderful women whom I had never met before. We all had our own personal problems but the Program allowed each of us to grow in a Christian setting, be supportive of each other, and work out our problems. With each others help, we became a circle of friends. When I started with CWJC I signed a commitment agreement and in rereading it I find that I feel that both myself and CWJC have up-held that commitment to the letter. All the volunteers, no matter whom they are, our office crew, board members, teachers, mentors, food suppliers, all came offering us kindness, help, and love from their hearts. Our classes were all informative and fun.
Computer training was sometimes on the nervous side but I feel enlightened all the same. I, for one, did not want to see my time with the Program come to an end and was ready to sign up for a second round. -By Nancy Vadnais-
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