“Our mission is to empower women to strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ, and to gain career and life skills by providing them with education, mentoring and strength based training in a faith-based environment.” – Mission Statement of Lauderdale Christian Women’s Job Corps

Teresa Plott was a stay-at-home mom for 16 years. That had been her choice. She aspired only to be a good mom, but when her daughter no longer needed her full-time attention she wondered if there could be something more in her future. Having no job skills and having been out of the workforce for so long, she felt ill prepared to even search for a job. As she contemplated her future, Teresa heard from a friend about the Women’s Job Corps.

However, even the thought of sitting in a classroom and attempting to learn new skills was very intimidating. “I felt dumb, stupid, ignorant,” says Teresa. “I knew very little about computers, and I felt I’d be so uncomfortable with those ‘properly educated ladies’ who would be teaching me.”

Those “proper ladies” turned out to be women who love God, who have needs of their own and a way of turning every need into a prayer request. They gathered around Teresa like mother hens and the lessons began.

One of the Job Corps’ requirements is that the student must maintain a relationship with an assigned mentor during the 13-week course. This can be done by phone-calls, lunch meetings, or other outings. Susan Campbell was Teresa’s assigned mentor, and the two became close friends: “We are Sisters in Christ,” says Teresa.

Teresa and five other women recently accomplished the requirements for the Lauderdale County Christian Women’s Job Corps. Each student was diligent in learning and applying course material and maintained a relationship with her assigned mentor.

During the course of study, Teresa was asked, “In addition to being a good mom, what have you wanted to do with your life?” Two things crossed her mind, and she heard herself saying, “I think I would like to be a pharmacy technician or a phlebotomist.” Later, she was given a Meridian Community College brochure listing courses available, and as she opened it randomly, the first words she saw were “Pharmacy Technician.” In January, Teresa will begin the Pharmacy Technician Course at MCC Riley Workforce.

Council Woman Kimberly Houston spoke at the recent Job Corps Graduation, encouraging the women to be all they can be. She said, “We can all do with the Lord’s help. He is not moved by our emergencies, He is moved by our faith.” She quoted Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Mrs. Houston spoke of the necessity of perseverance, reminding the students that it is the fierce struggle that turns a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. Likewise, it’s the inner struggle that makes a woman strong. “Do what you gotta do,” she said. “If God is for you who can be against you?”

In closing statements, Dr. Greg Massey said: “The Women’s Job Corps provides the ‘Bread of Life’ which can prepare a woman to live a successful life.”

Site Coordinator Linda Spence recognized the many volunteers who contribute to the success of the Lauderdale Christian Women’s Job Corps.

Along with Teresa Plott, five other women completed the recent program: Bobbie Barnes, Luci Haskins, Tuesday Smith, Cynthia Colbert, and Stephanie Stinson.

For more information on the upcoming Job Corps classes, contact Linda Spence at 601-479-2231.