Christian program in Burnet empowers women in need

Those emotions ran rampant Monday night as the corps celebrated the graduation of six women in the 10th class since the program began five years ago.

“We have watched some ladies who felt worthless, and we managed to convince them they are worthwhile,” said Gayle Perry, the corps’ sewing instructor. “It’s beautiful to watch them blossom.”

The program also empowers women, making them good candidates for employment, said site coordinator Margaret Sullivan.

“What we do is work to give women in need the equipment necessary for life and employment in a place where women help women in a Christian setting,” Sullivan said. “They learn to become self-sufficient for themselves and their families.” 

The ceremony at the First Baptist Church of Burnet included testimony from each of the graduates, who stood before an audience sharing thoughts of their journey during the program. 

The 10-week course focuses on teaching job skills as well as life skills, officials said. Some of the core fundamentals during the classes involve basic computer skills, time and money management, how to dress for an interview, parenting and relationship skills, sewing and writing a resume. 

Childcare is also provided at the program’s expense.

Sullivan, who has been the site coordinator for two years and volunteered in the program prior to her appointment, said the group is governed by an 11-member advisory council.

“We are not a Baptist organization because we reach into all facets of the community and receive help from a variety of churches, although the Job Corps was originated and conceived by the Baptists,” Sullivan said.

The program is held two times a year in February and September. Each 10-week program requires the participants to attend classes all day three days a week. 

They also receive lunch, which is provided by several hostesses and volunteers from churches in Burnet, Marble Falls, Kingsland and Llano.

There are many job corps training programs throughout the country, but each one is local and autonomous for every area it serves, officials said. The Burnet program is maintained with a volunteer staff of 11 instructors and other helpers.

Class sizes are held to a minimum of 10 to give each student  personal attention. 

“Every woman’s needs vary. It can be financial where they need the skills necessary to get a job, or it can be emotional where they really need confidence to seek out the kind of job that will work for them,” Sullivan said. “We do not guarantee job placement at the end of the program, but we never hesitate to refer any of the women who still need employment.”

Sullivan believes there are two factors that set the program apart from others.

“We offer Bible study and are not ashamed of the fact that we share our beliefs without preaching. We also offer an ongoing support system,” Sullivan said. “Our women receive a mentor who contacts the graduates on a weekly basis offering moral support for at least six months after they complete the program so they have someone who will listen to them and help them if they need support after the training is complete.”

Sullivan said more mentors are needed, though.

“Many of the women who finish the program say this is the first time they have ever finished anything in their lives. Some even come back to the program to visit or to volunteer to help others. I can never stress enough the importance of having more mentors needed to help with the program,” she said.

Sullivan wants to hold mentor-training classes several times a year to increase the number of mentors per graduates.

Perry said the training doesn’t always focus on the details alone, but teaches a sense of self-worth.

The sewing sessions, for instance, give the women something tangible they created themselves.

“So much of what we do is in teaching the women to know they can accomplish something. It’s a way of increasing their confidence to where they are comfortable in knowing what they are capable of and in knowing someone cares,” Perry said.

Perry believes the program focuses on their strengths, and teaches the women how to build upon their natural talents.

The group relies on donations from many sources including churches. The corps recently received a $5,000 donation from First State Bank of Burnet.

Earlier on the day of their graduation, stylists at Attitudes, 408 Ave. G in Marble Falls, continued a tradition of providing complimentary haircuts and styles to each graduate. 

They returned to Burnet for a celebratory lunch, then received makeup and beauty treatment in preparation for the evening’s graduation ceremony. 

“It’s wonderful to give to those in need around the world, but we have a lot of need in our very own community,” Perry said.

Those interested in making a donation or volunteering can call Sullivan at (512) 756-1484. The office is at 218 E. Jackson St.

byoung@thepicayune.com