PROGRAMS
GET INVOLVED
SITE SEARCH |
|
provided by google
|
|
Climbing Out Of Poverty's Pit In Ohio
Day in and day out many government assisted parents pass the hours by watching television and caring for their children. Individuals like 19-year-old Shalon feared the cycle of being a "welfare mom" would continue for the rest of their lives. However, trying to climb out of this bottomless pit had its' obstacles. Daycare would eat up a lot of any pay check. Finding a job which wouldn't require transportation was almost impossible. Shalon was ready to change!
As the 21,000 residents of Ashland, Ohio woke up to the cold last January, Shalon was already preparing to attend OBI's WINGS Life Skills Training. After bundling up her child, she wrapped a coat around her swelling belly. Upon arriving to the WINGS class she admitted, "I need to learn how to make better decisions."
For five days, WINGS trainer Dan Phillip shared how it was possible to begin to have a better future. On Friday, not only did Shalon graduate from the class, but she chose to begin to meet with a mentor each week for three months to ensure her set goals and objectives would be met. Soon, she began working at Applebee's Restaurant and taking college classes full time. Over a year has passed since that cold week in January and now Shalon rents her own place and has a car!
Dan began teaching WINGS classes through the Park Street Brethren Church's Transformation Network in January 2000. Sixty-two graduates have passed through eight different classes with new hope in their hearts. "This is all about bringing Christ to people and then helping them to develop new relationships themselves," comments the father of four. "I want the church to be the first place people go to for help; not social services." His class size averages eight and consist of mainly women ages seventeen to twenty-four. Potential students are referred by local organizations including the Salvation Army and the Ashland County Department of Human Services. Dan has also worked to build relationships with potential employers in the community.
In addition to holding WINGS classes, the Transformation Network also provides temporary Transformational Housing for homeless families and sells used cars to those seeking transportation to work through the Wheels To Independence program.
"Please don't stop," expresses a Ashland WINGS' graduate! Another comments, ""The WINGS program taught me some things about myself and about my future. This is a very worthwhile program."
Your gift today can assist OBI in continuing life-changing programs such as WINGS Life Skills Training!
|
]