We offer job preparedness courses at One City, as we know there are employers looking for local qualified employees. Our community has individuals who want employment and may benefit from the direction, resources, and connections provided through these classes. At One City, we help bridge this gap by offering job preparedness courses and connecting local employers to potential employees.
One City has partnered with an established job preparedness program called Work Life which is a Biblically-based 10 week program that meets twice a week.
Incorporating material already developed by Advance Memphis and Jobs for Life, Work Life facilitators are trained by the Chalmers Center to empower people to find work—and to flourish in it.
Work Life reaches beyond basic skills like writing a resume or navigating a job interview. This training addresses the impact of joblessness through the dignity of work and helps those in need find dignity and purpose through meaningful work.
Sample Work Life Classes include:
- Building on Past Experiences
- Building Character and Skills
- Exploring our Gifts
- Identifying What Employers Want
- Speaking and Listening
- Resolving Conflict
- Putting Best Practices to Work on the Job
- Persevering on the Long Journey
Work Life is designed for people who are unemployed or underemployed. The program inspires, guides, and equips participants as they prepare to find and keep meaningful employment. Throughout each course, participants work with an ally (mentor) who walks alongside them throughout the program. The allies are volunteers from our community who attend classes and serve as an additional support system to the class participants. They also serve as a connection after class is complete and may use their current connections and resources to help the participant identify potential jobs in the community.
These classes develop relationships, create friendships, and develop a support network beyond the 10 weeks of the course. We also connect with local employers to create relationships that will potentially offer opportunities to our graduates. The culture of the program promotes and builds relationships in and throughout the community, an idea we firmly believe leads to real and lasting change.
One City stands behind the position of Jobs For Life that created the original training Work Life is based on, “Nothing attacks one’s dignity like a lack of work. The suffering and consequences of unemployment and underemployment are pervasive and heart-wrenching. Joblessness contributes to poverty, crime, homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, unwanted pregnancies, depression, divorce, and suicide – it is self-perpetuating and tears at the fabric of society.”
Sign up here if you would like to be notified of when our next Work Life course begins.
Are you an employer looking to partner with us for potential employees? Visit our Employer page here.
