lasting change

Monique Howe, Executive Assistant, Volunteer Coordinator, and Volunteer Facilitator of Financial Education, recently preached on her experience serving clients at the COC. Read her words below, and be inspired by her reflections.

Hear these words from Ephesians chapter 4 verses 21-24

For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

For quite a number of years now, I have volunteered with The Christian Outreach Center’s job readiness and financial education programs, and more recently have come to be employed there. You’re probably not too familiar with the COC, but I expect you are familiar with our thrift stores, The Purple Cow. If you donate items, or shop at one of the three stores, thank you. Thank you for helping transform
individuals as they are clothed in a new self.

There are four main programs that we facilitate to help the materially poor, under-employed and formerly incarcerated. They include a job readiness program, financial education class, grocery assistance program and the Hand Up program which you will hear a bit more about later.

The job readiness program participants learn about their place in God’s Kingdom as they develop soft skills, resume writing, and interview skills that will aid them as they move toward their employment goals. They learn that they do not have to be defined by their past, change and growth is possible. A new self is waiting.

In the financial education class, they learn how to use their financial resources in God’s Kingdom, as well as how money influences all of our relationships. Money is but a tool to build the kingdom, to create the life God wants each of us to lead to His glory. A new self is being fashioned.

I am currently facilitating the financial education class for members of the HandUp program. The participants of this group are formerly incarcerated, recently released individuals, and if you want to meet people that are creating a new self these are your people. In many ways, I hope to be like them one day.

One of the guys, Walter, was telling the story of how he came to be in our group. Prior to his release he was praying for guidance, he knew he needed to change something but just wasn’t sure what that something was. In true biblical form, God spoke in a dream.

Walter is from New Orleans originally and as his release date came closer he wasn’t sure where he was supposed to go. If he went back to New Orleans, he would be back in the environment that had created problems for him in the past. He did not think this was a good idea but what else was he to do? He prayed, and waited, he prayed some more, and waited. Then, about two weeks before his release, the revelation came.

In his dream, he was crossing a bridge headed to New Orleans, the farther he travelled the darker it got. The path was hidden, he could not see where his next step should be. Then, a voice instructed him to turn back, he was headed the wrong way. Upon waking he was confident God had spoken, he had part of the answer. He was not to return to his old stomping grounds.

Within a few days he was contacted by a lady arranging his relocation, she asked if he wanted to go home, or would he be interested in heading to Baton Rouge? Without hesitation Walter chose Baton Rouge, and was interviewed and enrolled in our HandUp program. During this eight week program participants receive guaranteed housing, instruction in an intensive version of the job readiness program, a condensed form of the financial education program, a pay cheque, physical and mental health care and referrals to employment partners.

Walter speaks of his past, the drugs, criminal activity, bad decisions aplenty. But, then with a smile he tells us he has been clean for ten years. He tells of the work he has done to change, AA meetings, bible study, prayer, surrounding himself with a new community, as he recognizes the threat of old friends, he quotes scripture to share what guides his choices now. He is a new creation.

Walter is an inspiration to me. His dedication and perseverance in changing his life causes me to re-examine my life, the practices I use, changes I can make. His example makes me question if I am living the life God planned for me? What lessons can we learn from Walter’s journey? More than that, it begs the question, what do we need to do to transform into the new self God sees for us?

A little over two months ago, we launched into our HandUp prison-reentry program serving those reentering society after incarceration. Today, we checked in with participants, David Chambliss and Rechail Johnson. 

When asked how things have progressed over the program so far, David responds positively, “A lot of job opportunities! He [Rechail] got offered a full-time job, I got offered a full-time job,” referring to one of the local employers whose contracts participants have been working under. Rechail echoes his feelings, “They like our work ethic and job performance.”

David expresses excitement about this particular opportunity, noting that the consistency of work in jobs like these allows he and others to plan for their expenses each month rather than working jobs all over the state. 

When asking about the classes they’ve been taking for Job Readiness, David comments that, “They’ve renewed me on some stuff… They remind me of what I need to do, how to act with others, getting closer to God…how to be positive. You’ve got to stop being negative and start being positive. Stop trying to find the wrong in everything and just do the right.”

Next week, the guys move on from Job Readiness and onto Financial Education, a set of classes aimed at helping those who earn gainful employment to steward their renewed resources responsibly and according to God’s will. 

When asked about what they’re excited about, Rechail says, “I’m pretty good with Math, I took Business Math in school so I’m looking forward to this!”

He remarks that, at the end of the program, he sees, “Light. It’s light.” 

David chimes in and says, “I actually have been able to get a vehicle so my goal has changed. Everything has been working in my favor so I can change that goal [of getting a vehicle] to a higher goal of getting a place to live or something.” 

“You’re doing the right thing, you’re paying attention and a lot of people help you out.” remarks David in a celebratory tone. Rechail and David have both found lots of help from other organizations in the area as well and feel strongly that they will pass these resources on to the next group of people who come through the HandUp program in 2023. 

When asked what they would tell someone interested in the program Rechail says firmly, “You have to be willing.” David adds that, with all the resources they’re receiving as a part of the program, they are getting so much more than just $10 per hour, which will soon increase to $13. “As far as any questions you have or anything you need help with, they’re there.” says David.” “You have to be willing to put in, to receive.” Says Rechail. “No matter what you need, there’s a resource out there.”

When asked about what they want to tell folks about the program, Rechail says emphatically, “It’s working. The program is working.” “No matter how far you fall, there’s opportunity out there. You just have to seek it and apply yourself” adds David. 

We’re well on our way to graduation and are overjoyed at the work David and Rechail have put into their experience! 

Interested in getting involved with HandUp or supporting the work of our clients? Use the buttons below to learn more, volunteer, or give today!