Lake Norman Circle Initiative - Sarah's Story
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Sarah White is a single mom with two small children. She is a recent graduate of the “Getting Ahead” Program within the Circle Initiative. This program is designed to teach life and work skills to those who are willing to try to get out of poverty. After graduation, Sarah was assigned a group of allies, who are trained volunteers from our community, to assist her in implementing her goals.
Sarah came to the Mission in February of this year because she had lost her job and could not pay her bills. She had heard about the Mission because she had received an Angel Food box from the Mission three years ago. The Crisis Manager assigned to Sarah enrolled her in a job skills program. While in the program, Craig, the Education Director identified her as a “Getting Ahead” candidate.
When Sarah began the “Getting Ahead” program she was with a group of nine other women who were also starting the program. Sarah honestly said that she did not think the program would help. She thought it was pointless and was clearly unenthusiastic. She had no goals when she entered into the “Getting Ahead” program and was primarily attending for the gift cards, of which one is given to each program member for completing each week of classes. This small gift is often what is needed to entice a skeptical participant to attend and enhance the partnership between the Mission and the participant who is making that effort to be trained in life and job skills to prepare them to become self-sufficient.
Sarah has completed the “Getting Ahead” program and is now a Circle Leader. As a Circle leader she is responsible for taking the specific steps she has laid out to take her out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. She does this with the help of her ally group of volunteers whom she meets with weekly at the Mission’s Education Facility. She states that she has hope for the first time in years. She has established goals which include; gaining employment as a pharmacy technician for which she is trained and certified, to complete her Doctorate in Pharmacy for which she is working towards through an on-line education with Colorado Technical University, and to gain stable housing.
When Sarah was asked what she will take away from the program she stated that she understands the socio-economic classes better now and how she can function within them. She also said that she now knows how to utilize her resources. She said that she is a stronger person now and more confident, she is no longer afraid to ask for help. Sarah dreams again. She dreams of a future and not just getting by. She dreams of having a career, owning a home, and having a dog.
When asked if there was anything else she wanted to say about the Circle Initiative and the “Getting Ahead” Program she said, “It is life changing”.
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Mooresville Lake Norman Christian Mission is an independent organization creating lasting change for families in need in the Mooresville Lake Norman area. See our Financials and Form 990 by clicking here. |
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Mooresville/Lake Norman Christian Mission Phone: 704-664-2357 ©2010-2012 Mooresville Lake Norman Christian Mission, web design by Design Metamorphosis, LLC, hosting by FatCow with 100% wind energy |
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