February 22 Update

Katrina is Debt Free - and a Car Owner!

Great news! Jobs for Life grad and IDA participant Katrina Payne (at left) has completed her time in the IDA Program and has used the money she saved, the matching dollars she received, and her income tax return to buy her car and pay off some remaining debt that she had. She is one happy lady! We're so impressed with her dedication to saving, and to paying off debts when she had the opportunity to do so.

Graduation is Friday

Please join us! Friday we'll gather at Streets Ministries at 10:00am (note new grad time) to celebrate another Jobs for Life graduation. These students have faced considerable struggles to make it to their graduation day, and we look forward to rejoicing with them. We'll also take some time to honor the 3 Jobs for Life grads who have received their GED over the last few weeks.

Business as Mission Conference

Independent Presbyterian Church, Second Presbyterian Church and Mission to the World are collaborating to present the upcoming Business as Mission Conference. The conference will take place April 29 and 30 at Independent Pres. This is a great way for business people to learn more about using their skills to contribute to local and global ministries. Go here for more info.

PSALM 3:3-6

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

Friday News: February 11, 2011

SHARON BUSH: 8/14/1988-2/2/2011 We are greatly saddened to share that our friend and recent Jobs for Life graduate Sharon Bush passed away this week due to complications from pneumonia. She was only 22. There will be a wake for Sharon on Friday from 4:00-6:30 at the Ford Funeral home (S. Pkwy & Florida). The funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 at New Mount Sinai Church (4920 Hornlake). Please join us in praying for Sharon's family and friends.

THE IMPORTANCE--AND CHALLENGE--OF TEACHING FINANCIAL LITERACY
Financial literacy training makes up half of the Jobs for Life Program at Advance Memphis. While class exercises (such as tracking spending for a month) are eye opening experiences for our students, the learning curve is still a steep one. This isn't surprising when we consider that Americans, as a whole, struggle to understand and apply basic financial concepts. Even when we know what to do, most of us don't do it. Want proof?

Three out of every four Americans say they aren't saving enough
(2008 Pew Research Center).

So at Advance Memphis, our Financial Freedom curriculum is not static, but is evolving and - hopefully - becoming a more effective tool for instruction and change in our students' lives. This week we've got a great example of that. For the first time, Financial Freedom instructor Brandon Russell (right) will be distributing money to the class. (It's not real!) He's hoping that this hands on learning experience will help students understand the impact of their financial decisions, and will translate into lasting behavioral changes. It's not an easy topic to teach, but we'll keep trying. Statistics like these help us remember why it's so important:

• One in five Americans are asset poor; if they had to live only on their net worth (savings, home equity and other assets) they could not survive at the poverty level for three months.
• 15.5% of all Americans (and 26% of minorities) have zero or negative net financial assets.

NEW JOBS, NEW POSSIBILITIES Advance Memphis Staffing Service client NGP has added another position, and we've sent Rosalind Hardy to work in their warehouse. Rosalind is taking online college courses while working and caring for her children; please pray for her as she adjusts to this new job. We're also proud to share that two of Staffing Service employees at KTG were invited to pursue permanent employment. The first step involved taking a written test, which both of them have passed. They will now go on to an interview stage. Please pray for these women as they work to take an important professional step.

PSALM 34: 17-18 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.