Jobs for Life equips churches and other nonprofits to care for the unemployed and underemployed through the dignity of work.
Jobs for Life (JfL) is a national non-profit organization that offers a unique solution to poverty and joblessness in communities and for individuals across the country. Jobs for Life equips churches and community organizations in over 180 cities with the materials they need to lead JfL classes, teaching men and women timeless biblical principles concerning work and the ways those principles are applied in the marketplace. With JfL, communities and businesses are transformed through the dignity of work.
Work gives us dignity, value and purpose. A lack of work leads to devastating consequences for every- one – more poverty, homelessness, crime, domestic violence, divorce, debt, depression, and even suicide. Through our faith-based program, JfL helps men and women develop the character, confidence and core work readiness skills to prepare them for work and life.
Jobs for Life enhances an organization’s current programs, helping them to accomplish what God has called them to do. The JfL course is highly effective either as a standalone course or when used in conjunction with other programs such as GED, finanicial literacy, computer training and hard skills training.
With the JfL program, volunteers are able to connect to their neighbors and be seen as a leader and resource for positive changes to many of the community’s problems. In addition, many have used JfL as a platform to build deeper relationships with the local business community and offer meaningful employment to those in need of work while providing businesses with access to employees who understand the value of work.
According to a recent study by the Urban Institute, churches perform the following outreach in their communities;
Food – 33%,
Housing – 18%,
Clothing – 11%,
Homelessness – 8%,
Health – 4%,
Substance Abuse – 2%
Employment – 1%.
JfL asks, “what if we flipped the list?” What would lives look like if the church focused on employment, training, and walking with individuals and communities in this journey?
Jobs for Life is a conduit for change. Teaching individuals a biblical understanding of work and surrounding them with support from their community provides access to a network of resources they need
to take care of themselves and their families.
“I would like to thank you for having the opportunity to participate in the Jobs for Life program. Yes, I must say it was truly an important step in my life. It did give me a chance to realize the potential I have which I will apply to my life.
I must also agree that participation in this program can be a life changing experience, not only for myself but for my family, friends, children, and to be honest, anyone I really come in contact with and give my testimony to. I’m really proud I graduated from JfL when I did because my oldest son is entering his senior year of high school and now I really can encourage him to finish. I have finished something I am proud of.
When I wake up each day now, I don’t look at life as a disappointment. I’ve learned that I will run into roadblocks, but that is ok, there are ways to handle them that will lead me closer to Our Father instead of closer to destruction.
I was found guilty of a felony, by a jury of my peers on May 12, 2010. The Judge removed my bond and had me sent right to jail to wait to be sentenced this September 23rd, 2010. My lawyer said I’m doing “dead time” right now, none of this counts for anything…I beg to differ on that! This time did count for something, it counted for me earning and discovering new skills I never thought achievable. The journey truly is the reward.”
- JfL student, August 4, 2010
