After being laid off from a local dollar store in 2010, Corey was at a loss for where to go. He already had a spotty employment history, holding jobs for short periods of time with numerous periods of unemployment. He knew that something needed to change; that something wasn’t right. Was change possible?
Corey heard about Hope for the Inner City’s Jobs for Life program from a few recent graduates, who raved about how much it had helped their own job searches. Tired of waiting around with nothing to do, Corey enrolled in the program, ready to begin a life change.
Acquiring Skills
In class, instructor Frank Hill taught Corey much about the practical skills necessary to become an attractive employee, while also emphasizing the encompassing nature of a strong Christian work ethic. In particular, Corey learned about the value and necessity of speaking clearly, and not being afraid to voice his opinion; the Jobs for Life class helped him become comfortable speaking in front of groups of people.
In addition to the practical benefits of the class, Corey also felt a strong call back to the Lord. After losing his job, he had become depressed and began to slip back into the world of drugs and violence in which he had dabbled as a youth. But through the spiritual rigor of the Jobs for Life curriculum, Corey found himself momentarily able to drown out these voices from the past. These temptations may always be there, so he is actively looking for a church home to help nurture his faith and to keep him on the "path of life" (Proverbs 15:24).
“I’ve seen a lot of personal growth in Corey,” said James Hough, the men’s caregiver for Jobs for Life. “He made a lot of progress in the class. He’s really been working hard, especially to finish his GED,” the high school equivalency test that so many people in Corey’s situation struggle to complete.
Working for the Future
Corey graduated from Jobs for life on May 31, 2011, and is now employed at Accu-Cast Inc., where he helps in the robotic production of wax molds. He loves his new job and sincerely hopes to build a career there. As do many Jobs for Life graduates, Corey has a long path ahead of him. But one step at a time, he is tasting the blessings of a changed life.
