NewsletterCHRISTIAN WOMEN’S JOB CORPS® OF LEE COUNTY, AL

www.cwjclc.comFall 2016 - Session 19 - Issue 2

19th Pinning Ceremony and reception held on Nov. 18th

Neeley Caldwell,Executive Directorneeley@cwjclc.com

CWJC of Lee CountyThe Eagle Center 215 E. Thach Ave. Suite 101 Auburn, AL 36830 Office: 334-821-0591 Cell: 334-524-5529

Spring Session 20, 2017:

Orientation - January 18Week 1- Jan. 23 - 27Week 2- Jan. 30 - Feb. 3Week 3- Feb. 6 - 10Week 4- Feb. 13 - 17Week 5- Feb. 20 - 24Week 6- Feb. 27 - Mar. 3Week 7- Mar. 6 - 10Week 8- Mar. 13 - 17* (Spring Break-Auburn Univ. & Auburn City Schools)ORWeek 8 - Mar. 20 - 24* (Spring Break - Opelika City Schools & Lee Co. Schools)Week 9- Mar. 27 - 31Week 10 –Apr. 3 - 7 Pinning Celebration AUMC Epworth Center Friday, April 7 at 12 Noon*Spring Break Week will be determined in the near future

FIND us and LIKE us!facebook.com/cwjcleecounty

Important Dates

The Fall Session of CWJC held its Pinning Ceremony and Reception on November 18, 2016, at the Epworth Center at Auburn United Methodist Church. Six local women were “pinned” by their mentors and awarded certificates for their successful completion of a ten week program. During week ten, students were placed in local workplaces for an internship. Those providing internship experience were Arbor Springs, Auburn Career Center, Auburn Training Connection, CWJC Office, East Alabama Dental Group, and Marriott Grand National.

Following the ceremony, participants and their families, volunteers, instructors, board members and community members celebrated the successful session with a reception.

The next session of Christian Women’s Job Corps® of Lee County will be held in the Spring 2017. For additional information on how to become a volunteer, mentor, instructor, or participant for the next session, contact: neeley@cwjclc.com or 334-524-5529 or 334-821-0591 or visit our website: www.cwjclc.com.

Graduates Pictured Left to Right: Laquesha Byrts, Jaeil Park, Jacqueline Jones, Tiffany Walker, Bezawit Tameru and Eunyoung Lee

Session 19 - December 8, 2016 - Page 2

Church Spotlight: First Presbyterian Church Opelika

2015/16 CWJC Board of Directors

Chair: Dr. Dennis Marple, Equipment and Technical Support

1st Vice Chair: Sally Sheehan, Hospitality

Secretary: Lynn Bell, Founder, Instructor, Recruiter, Interviewer

Treasurer: Starling Grisham

Gwen Price, Publicity

Cary Cox, Internships

Dr. Charlotte Ward, Bible Study Leader, Parliamentarian

Sheila Sparks, Church Connections and Curriculum

Toddy Savage, Instructor, Mentor Recruiter/Trainer

John Wingfield, Facilities

Jan Thornton, Church Connections

Kate Larkin, Business and Community Relations

Dr. John Saidla, Celebration Reception

Cathy Zevac, Celebration Ceremony and Reception

Ex Officio: Neeley Caldwell, CWJC Executive Director

FPO is a church that longs to advance gospel saturated community through gospel-centered teaching and gospel-motivated mercy. All the ministries at FPO, we believe, are called to reflect this vision. Spiritual transformation begins with training from God’s word. Whether in Sunday school, local and international missions, worship on Sunday and all our other ministries, FPO strives to encourage others in their walk with Christ.

FPO’s Missions Committee is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all of the church’s missions endeavors in order to further FPO’s vision of sharing Christ in the US and abroad. The committee is made up of a variety of individuals from FPO who are united by one central theme: a passion for missions both globally and locally.

About four years ago when FPO became aware of CWJC of Lee County, the church saw the compatibility between the visions of FPO and this local ministry helping women in need. The decision was made to include CWJC in the monthly Missions Budget. According to Jerry Schwarzauer, FPO deacon and Missions Committee member, “We at First Presbyterian Church want to make a difference outside the walls of our Church. CWJC does an excellent job of taking women and showing them the Love of Jesus. This Love goes in several directions. CWJC builds up the self – esteem of each participant by teaching each person is made in the image of God, and therefore worthy. With a wide range of practical classes, the women improve their job skills and earning power. With much greater ability to care for their families, family life at home improves. CWJC impacts the next generation of people in our county.”

Thank you, First Presbyterian Opelika, for years of faithful support!

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Keeping the Connection? Jane Huntley, lifetime teacher and coach mentors Brenda Davis

“Former educator, Jane Huntley, has made a lifetime commitment to teaching in many kinds of classrooms. CWJC has found a dedicated mentor in Jane, who finds herself “teaching and coaching” her mentees over her many sessions of involvement. Eighteen months ago Jane was matched with Brenda Davis as her mentee. God has led the two ladies to continue meeting and texting far past the usual six month period. Jane has accompanied Brenda to various appointments and continues to give lots of encouragement. Maintaining a long term relationship for Jane is not a routine experience. “It’s OK if the mentoring ends after six months. Guidance that builds confidence which lasts a lifetime can occur within a few weeks. The length of connection varies with the needs and factors playing out in the life of the mentee or mentor.”

Jane values mentoring as a way to serve and the ladies need encouragement as they strive to change their lives. “It’s important to let your mentee know you’re here and available. You don’t have to know everything. Just observe, listen, and ask questions about the goals,

strengths, and struggles of the mentee. Point out talents that she has not noticed in herself. Sharing your own experiences often helps to create an open and positive relationship.”

Jane is convinced that CWJC is planting seeds and participants can be successful. She always comes back to the Scripture from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -- Philippians 4:13Jane’s good example influenced

Brenda to become a CWJC volunteer after her graduation

Where are they now? Jennifer Triplett - Accountant’s Assistant Dean’s Office - AU College of Architecture

“CWJC provided the job contact I needed through one of the guest speakers who came to my class.” Jennifer Triplett recalled the networking experience that would lead to a new job not long after her graduation from CWJC in the fall of 2013. After working for an insurance company in Birmingham for years, Jennifer moved with her family to Opelika and began her job search. A family member recommended that she contact CWJC for help. Back in Lee County after attending Auburn University, Jennifer graduated from Samford University with an English major. Using her English skills she found

herself helping her classmates at CWJC with computer skills as well as their graduation speeches. Jennifer knew she enjoyed office work from her experience in Birmingham and had a very good experience with her CWJC internship at an Opelika law firm. Since making that contact with the guest speaker during the fall 2013 session, now Jennifer is back at Auburn University. This time Jennifer is working as an accountant’s assistant in

the Dean’s Office at the College of Architecture at Auburn University. After two and one half years in the job, Jennifer says, “This is just the right job for me.”

“CWJC provided the job contact I needed ...”

-- Jennifer Triplett 2013 CWJC Graduate

Session 19 - December 8, 2016 - Page 4

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, mentor, instructor or participant at CWJC, please call Neeley at 334-821-0591.

Here’s what the recent grads had to say about their experiences at CWJC this fall:

“I have gained more self-confidence and better social skills. I also know how to write a much better resume. I have also enhanced my computer skills.” “I’ve gained a whole lot and I will utilize the skills I’ve gained. I’m beginning to open up and talk more to people and not be afraid to ask for help and ask questions. I loved the lunch with the mentors on Wednesdays.” “I can write a book about the things I’ve gained – confidence, I am proud of who I am and who I will become. Words can’t express how I feel right now. I’ve completed something.” “I have learned how to live with hope and confidence.” “I have more confidence and more love for myself.” “I don’t need to be afraid of some people. I don’t need to be focused on what others think of me. I can accept myself and love myself as I am.”

Session 19- December 8, 2016 - Page 5

Retired Auburn University Chemistry Professor and active community volunteer, Dr. Charlotte Ward, first became involved as an instructor at CWJC from the very beginning. Dr. Ward began teaching Sunday School in the Baptist Church when she was 15 years old and still serves as a substitute teacher to this day. Leading the participants at CWJC in the Fruit of the Spirit Bible study was a natural fit. Ward recalls, “I have led the main Bible study (required in all CWJC programs) since the beginning. There are no definite guidelines, so I have developed a curriculum that focuses on building self-esteem by recognizing God’s love and high expectations for each of us, learning how to get along with everyone - family, employers, and fellow workers, developing a good work ethic, and learning to resist temptation, especially the temptation to give up.”

Over the years the Galatians 5 “Fruit of the Spirit” devotionals became the theme each session. Dr. Ward and the ladies worked to make tissue paper flowers with a different color tissue paper for each of the nine “fruits”. By session end the ladies have a beautiful reminder of how the Spirit of God transforms them into beautiful creatures to serve Him and others.

“Every session we see women blossom as they realize their own worth and potential. Working with women who need what we can offer is a blessing to me as much as to them. I am more sympathetic and more dedicated to working for changes in society that will make changing one’s life more possible.”

As Dr. Ward encounters our graduates in the community, she remembers fondly how they credit CWJC with improving their outlook and approach to life. Dr. Ward is grateful for her experience as a CWJC volunteer. “We do make an important difference in their lives. I’m so thankful to be a part of that.”

Thanks to you, Dr. Ward, for your many years of dedication to the ministry.

Volunteer Spotlight Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study Leader and CWJC Board Member - Dr. Charlotte Ward

Session 19- December 8, 2016 - Page 6

Kroger Community Rewards Program CWJC has been enrolled in Kroger Community Rewards Program. We would like to encourage you to enroll and allow CWJC and our ladies of Lee County to benefit from your grocery shopping. Just go to the appropriate website mentioned below and begin enrolling. CWJC of Lee County has been assigned NPO number 60269.

TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

Simply encourage your members to register online • at krogercommunityrewards.comBe sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy and register your card • with your organization after you sign up.If a member does not yet have a Kroger Plus card, please let • them know that they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.Click on Sign In/Register• Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on • SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, • clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditionsYou will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on • the link within the body of the email.Click on My Account and use your email address and password to • proceed to the next step.Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input • your Kroger Plus card number.Update or confirm your information.• Enter NPO 60269 or name of organization, select organization from • list and click on confirm.To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s • name on the right side of your information page.REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after • your member(s) register their card(s).Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-576-4377, • select option 4 to get yourKroger Plus card number.Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the • phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.

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