For single mothers struggling to support their families, often the best friend is a woman who has known hard times herself.

Melinda, now the women’s caregiver in Hope for the Inner City’s Jobs for Life program, is a single mother of four. Two years ago, she lost her job. But she has since faced much bigger losses.

Committed to Hope

Melinda had been working in environmental services at Siskin Hospital when she was laid off in 2008. She later heard about Hope for the Inner City’s job-readiness program, a gospel-centered training model that teaches the value of a strong character, honesty and dependability. According to leading surveys, these “soft skills” are the credentials most prized by employers.

In her first class, Melinda met Frank Hill, a volunteer trainer. Right away, she identified with Mr. Hill. “He told us from the beginning that [to really change] you have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Melinda said. “And I was like, ‘OK, that sounds like me.’ ”
 
Mr. Hill knew Melinda faced big obstacles, but he also noticed her determination to find help and succeed in the program. “She was going through some difficult times with her children, and she was just reaching out,” he said. “I [recognized] how persistent she is in really being committed to Hope.”

Mr. Hill was not the only one at Hope for the Inner City to notice Melinda’s courage and resolve. After successfully completing the job-readiness program, she was offered a position on staff.

Tragedy Strikes
 
On a Sunday afternoon in December 2009, Melinda was at home cooking dinner for her children. Sunday was her day off, and she always spent it with her family.

Her son, Carlton, had stepped out, promising to return soon. Twenty minutes later, Melinda heard the door swing open downstairs, followed by screams from her daughter. She ran to see what had happened. “I heard [Carlton] staggering over the furniture,” said Melinda. “And when I got down the steps, I started screaming for him to hold on: ‘I’m calling the ambulance.’ ”

When Melinda reached her son, she struggled to identify the cause of his wound, not knowing whether he had been shot or stabbed. He was still breathing, but his breaths soon slowed.

Melinda prayed. “When [Carlton] was lying on the floor, I said, ‘Lord, if you fixing to call him home, please don’t let my child suffer,’ ” she said.

A moment later, Carlton’s breathing stopped. “My baby closed his eyes, and he was gone,” she said.

Leaning on God

In the wake of Carlton’s death, Melinda turned to God for strength to carry on. “I think having been in the [job-readiness] program, and having surrounded herself with Christians and godly people, helped [Melinda] realize that she could lean and depend on God to help her get through the tragedy,” said Elaine Hill, a program volunteer.

Melinda’s coworkers at Hope for the Inner City are quick to point out that losing her son did not diminish her faith, but rather deepened her trust in God. “I think that tragedy has helped make her a stronger person,” says Mrs. Hill. I don’t know if Melinda has realized that. But I certainly see growth: In something bad, something good has come out of it.”

Melinda’s strengthened faith has renewed her desire to lead her children to the Lord. “My mission now is to get my children to come closer to God, to stay strong, remain strong,” she said. “Because I'll stay strong for them as well.”

From Faith to Forgiveness

After Carlton’s passing, the next great trial was facing his killer. This was unspeakably difficult, since this was a member of Carlton’s own family—the father of her child.

It was by no means easy, but in an act of mercy that stunned her community, Melinda looked to her child’s father with forgiveness. “I don’t have hatred for him,” said Melinda. “I can forgive. I’m gonna forgive, because I got to get to heaven to see my child again.”

Melinda refuses to hold on to bitterness toward Carlton’s killer, as she looks forward to one day being reunited with her son. “He’s not gonna stop that blessing!” she said.

Looking Ahead with Hope

Throughout last year, Melinda focused on building her job qualifications, so that she can better provide for her children. With a job-readiness program certification under her belt, she has gone on to pursue her GED. She also hopes to return to the medical profession.

In the wake of her trials, Melinda is able to counsel and support other women, bearing witness to the love Christ has shown her. “That is what the Lord would have us to do,” says Mr. Hill. “He would have us to testify to how good he is and what he’s brought us through.”