01.30.2012

Fill Up!

“The more we give, I think, the more we get filled up.”

So says Kris Seidenkranz, Marketing Communications & Promotions, when speaking about volunteering at the Christian Women’s Job Corps, one of LifeWay’s Community Fund recipients for 2011-2012.

In 1997 CWJC of Middle Tennessee was formed to provide a faith based educational program and life changing community to individuals living on salaries below living wage.  Their mission: To empower individuals to break harmful cycles caused by poverty by providing adult education, mentoring and resources.  Educational classes include GED classes, life and job skills classes, ESL classes, computer classes, and character and spiritual development.  This is all provided free of charge, including free childcare.

Women who come to CWJC are seeking skills and support to overcome obstacles which are barriers to their life goals.  CWJC has three locations in Middle Tennessee: the downtown Nashville site on 8th Avenue South, the Madison satellite, and the Williamson County satellite. 

Volunteers at CWJC serve as friends and encouragers.  Mary Anna Brown, Retail Marketing, has been working with CWJC for over 5 years.  She is a mentor, or spiritual counselor, to a woman in the program, and they meet once a week. 

“Sometimes we go to dinner; sometimes we just sit and talk,” Brown said.  “These women are in poverty, wanting to get their GED, to move beyond what’s keeping them in poverty.” 

Sandy Blackman is the Volunteer Recruiter/Trainer with CWJC.  She is happy about LifeWay’s involvement with CWJC.  “We’ve gotten some of our best volunteers from LifeWay.  And we appreciate LifeWay’s funding because it allows us to do what we do,” she said.
 
“Right now we need mentors.  We call it a mentor/encourager.  What we’re looking for are people who will be a friend to a CWJC participant, spend some face-to-face time with them.  Mentors have done everything from help a participant with homework, to praying with them about life’s enormous challenges.”

Blackman says one thing they look for in a mentor is someone who is a little more mature in their faith.  They don’t have to be a spiritual giant, but be definite and well grounded in their faith in Christ. 

“Also, we can use GED tutors—that’s men and women—we have a new men’s GED program at our Madison satellite.  So we’re looking for a few good men who can help with mentoring and GED tutoring in Madison.” 

Blackman says they can always use childcare volunteers since they offer free childcare during the classes.  Or one can participate in one-time projects such as helping with a Christmas party or helping with graduation. 

Blackman notes that they have volunteers from all Christian denominations.  “What we’re looking for are people who the Lord has spoken to.  Ask the Lord: ‘Is there something that You would have me do with this ministry?’  It would mean the world to us if people thought about us enough to ask the Lord about it….we know He will send us just the right ones.”

“We just love our volunteers from LifeWay so we would just welcome anybody new or returning with open arms!”  says Blackman.

Kris Seidenkranz has been working with CWJC for 10 years, and she currently teaches a morning Bible study class at the Nashville campus, just a 5 minute walk from her LifeWay office.  She has also been a mentor and taught night classes on job and life skills.

“The whole idea is to go and help them, but every time I go I get blessed by them.  They’re so raw and fresh and the Word of God is so practical and relevant in their lives,” she says.  The women want to know what God’s Word says about certain things they’re dealing with, such as parenting, in their practical everyday living, she said.

Seidenkranz has this word for those at LifeWay who would volunteer with this ministry: “If you have a tug in your heart to volunteer, it’s so worth an hour of your time….you get so much back from what you’re giving.”

“One of the most exciting things for me is when they achieve their GED and when they have a plan and skills to support themselves and their family.  And just to be a small part of that is really rewarding,” says Seidenkranz.

“To let them know that they are loved by God unconditionally—that’s a concept that was new for some of them,” says Pam Nixon, Adult Ministry Publishing, who was a substitute Bible study teacher with CWJC.  She recalls the women being very attentive and passionate about doing whatever they needed to do to make their lives better. 

Volunteers, such as these LifeWay employees, are much needed and can serve in a variety of ways.   

To find out more about volunteering with CWJC call Sandy Blackman at 244-3669.

By Erin E. Freshwater