Tonya was helping her child find a restroom. Instead she found a job.

As she and her youngest daughter walked along Roanoke Avenue one day this past spring, the closest building was Hope for the Inner City. Tonya brought her daughter inside, where she was warmly welcomed by the front desk staff. They talked about Jobs for Life, Hope for the Inner City’s job-readiness program. It sounded like just what an unemployed mother of 3 needed. She signed up that very day.

Like many others in her position, past lifestyle choices have far-reaching consequences, frustrating the job search at every turn. But as the prophet Jonah learned, our God is one of second chances; Jobs for Life would provide Tonya with a new opportunity to become a valued employee.

"This Jobs for Life course helped me to see how Christ is incorporated in everything I do, even to gain and keep a job."

She is now employed full time at a local department store, at a job she loves.

Tonya will have to make a concerted effort to continue her hard work, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide her. That’s because three years of unemployment can introduce a whole array of recurring challenges that many employers are reluctant to face. But Tonya says she is ready to make the most of this new opportunity.

“God has to be in control of your life.” Tonya said. “He will help you accomplish anything. I really think Jobs for Life is a great program; there’s a lot of people who need this.”