David lives in
a one-bedroom apartment with his pregnant fiancé’, their infant
son and five other friends. The young family was recently informed that
they needed to find another place to live. Financially strapped and discouraged,
David needed help to know where to turn. But who would help?
The whiteboard in the Life Enrichment
Center said, “The rich work to learn; the poor work for money.”
Job liaison Evan Parker was leading the September morning discussion about
job interview preparation. His students were participating in the first
Operation Blessing Life Skills Empowerment class to be held at the Life
Enrichment Center’s building in Norfolk, Virginia! After four of five
days’ training, they were almost ready to put everything into practice
-- everybody including David.
The 19-year-old dreams of being a successful actor, but finishing a task
is hard for him. In the midst of trying to take care of his family, he
is trying to complete his GED with a desire to attend college. During
the Life Sills Empowerment class, David was equipped with the steps of
how to follow through, and provide for his family. He shared, “I’ve
learned that it’s important to put 100% in whatever you do.”
Back On His Feet
Tony, 23, lost his job in August. The bills were piling up and his credit
history had suffered. A couple of days before coming to the Life Skills
Empowerment class in Norfolk, Tony got a job at Chesapeake Hardwood. Getting
the job was the easy part. Four friends suggested he attend the class
and learn how to succeed at his new position. He commented, “The
staff has been very encouraging and supportive. That’s inspiring.
Anybody who thinks this isn’t for you, you can benefit from it.”
Community of Help
Throughout the week caring trainers and local business people helped the
students in completing the seminar. Having done corporate training in
the workplace, trainer Wanda Turpin said, “It’s so different
than basic training classes; it’s empowering someone’s life.
Giving back is what it’s all about.” Through partnerships
in the community, Operation Blessing is offering long-term solutions for
those who are financially distressed.
On Friday, Bill Horan, president and CEO of Operation Blessing shared
about his life as a businessman and encouraged the students by encouraging
them to “write things down and they will begin to mean something.”
He went on to say, “Faith is the fuel we put into the engine of
change – faith that we can do something. I can’t think of
any person that’s too old to begin again.”
You Can Make a Big Difference. This is only a fraction
of the many ways the Hope Works program has helped thousands of individuals
and families rise above their financial crises. By giving to the Hope
Works program, you can empower them to experience financial freedom.
A gift of as little as $50 can provide a South American family with enough
livestock to be able to begin a profitable farm. $100 can help train women
in African and Asia to be seamstresses. $1,200 can sponsor a US participant
in our 12-week Life Skills Empowerment program.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
This microenterprise venture is one of many Operation Blessing projects touching lives around the world. You can be a part of improving the quality of life for impoverished communities by supporting these and other life-changing programs.
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