Tony's 60 Second Commercial

Today was the last day of class for the 16 Jobs For Life students who have made it through our intensive six week program. We had a sobering and emotional moment for several men and women today as the reality set in that finding a job with a criminal background is going to be a continual challenge (in case you didn’t know most employers automatically reject candidates who have committed crimes, and this is one of Advance Memphis’ hardest struggles as we fight for justice). It is always discouraging for our neighbors who have a felony on their record to see their classmates find work quicker than them. Today I did my best to encourage students to remain faithful with what they know, be proactive in looking for work, and trust God with the results.

As soon as class ended today I took several men from class to run errands with me. When we stopped at one of the places, the truck wouldn’t start and so we spent several minutes trying to get it jumped. As we stood around, one of the men who was upset about his background today, Tony, noticed a man planting trees. Tony introduced himself to Jesse, who, as it turns out, is the owner of a landscaping company. Tony gave his “60 second commercial” (an interviewing technique we teach in the program). Jesse asked him about his criminal background, and Tony gave him an honest answer, “I have made some mistakes in my past and had to serve time.” Tony then went on to add, “But my life has been changed and I just completed the Jobs For Life program at Advance Memphis.” With some additional comments about how he wants to work hard, add value, and prove himself, Tony was hired! Tony knew the job wasn't permanent or full time--but what mattered was that he had represented himself well and been hired. He had hope!

This story gets me excited because it demonstrates both Tony and God’s faithfulness. Tony was extremely diligent to apply himself during the 6 week program. He was brutally honest with me and his Champion about his various roadblocks, and he worked hard to address these roadblocks. He took what he learned in class and used it the first opportunity he saw. The result was that Tony was working within 2 hours of finishing the Jobs For Life class. Of course none of this would have ever happened without God’s guiding hand, which prompted Tony’s heart and was the ultimate cause behind the truck not starting. Praise God for providing such an opportunity, and congratulate Tony on his faithfulness and preparedness.

Tony told me that this was a testimony that I better use to encourage others! So I hope this encourages you as it does me.

andrew@advancememphis.org
Jobs for Life Instructor

What Happens to an iPhone That's Stolen in Memphis?

Ever get tired of people's preconceptions about Memphis? Read the following blog entry by Operations Manager Ann Brainerd. Sure, there's some crime. But there's also so much goodness.

So during our last Jobs for Life class, I had my phone stolen from my desk – my new iPhone 4.

After returning to my closed office after lunch, I grabbed my purse to head out for an errand and realized that my phone was not where I had left it. Upon hearing this, a student from class immediately walked into the classroom to ask if anyone had seen my phone. The conclusion from the class was exactly what I had been thinking: the guy that had been sitting in our lobby half the day—who I didn't know—must have taken it. Another student chimed in that she had been outside for a smoke when she saw him walk quickly out of the office and take off around the corner. Even while this was being discussed, 3 or 4 guys headed out of the building to hunt him down, while the rest of the class followed outside. The Pest Control guy who had just pulled upsaw the mass exodus and asked if we were having a fire drill or something!

While the hunting crew disappeared around the corner, several of us tried calling my phone, only to have the voicemail pick up. I eventually headed out to the local AT&T store so I could get my phone turned off and switched to my thick old school phone. The moment I walked into the store and told them my phone was stolen, they immediately smiled and asked if I was Ann Brainerd. I meekly said, “Yes,” wondering why they knew my name. They gladly told me that work had called and that my phone was safe and sound at the office! I was thrilled to know that I didn’t have to wait in the long line just to get my phone transferred – but even more so that the guys were successful at getting my phone back.

Ann Brainerd pictured with students and a volunteer from the last Jobs for Life class.

I must say that I am continually amazed at the community here. This is just one of many examples that show the mutual love and care that the community and staff of Advance have for each other. As I returned to the office, people from class continued to ask if I was okay. I had an older man in the class poke his head into my office to add that “they did that because they care about you.” I nodded, acknowledging how thankful I am for that.

One of the students that went on the hunt for the phone told me that he just doesn’t like people that steal--or the idea that someone would steal from someone at Advance. They just couldn’t let him get away with it. And I'm grateful!

Good News: A Grant and a GED!

THANK YOU TO THE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION FOR A GREATER MEMPHIS
We are so proud to share that the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis has selected Advance Memphis as a grant recipient for 2010-2011. The Women's Foundation is a great asset to Memphis, working to encourage philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential. Their support will help to fund the participation of women in our Jobs for Life program, and will also provide funding for some of michael dawson GEDthose women to continue on to participation in our Warehouse Readiness vocational training program.

Thursday night we attended the Women's Foundations's Grant Showcase event. Two Jobs for Life program grads were in attendance, making us proud: Cindy Goad, Advance Memphis Employment Assistant and Clintonia Moore, Floating Lead for Advance Memphis Staffing Service. THANK YOU, WFGM!

WORK IT MEMPHIS CONTINUES
We've got our Athletes registered and they are exercising! Now it's time for YOU to join us as a Sponsor. Just go to the Work It Memphis! site and click "New Sponsor" and choose any Athlete to sponsor -- or just click "Donate Now" to make a flat donation to the campaign. All proceeds will go directly to our efforts to expand capacity and serve more of the Memphians who want to go to WORK!


ANOTHER GED--CONGRATULATIONS MICHAEL!
We celebrate with Michael Dawson, who dropped by this week to show us his GED. Michael completed Jobs for Life in 2005, and immediately begin pursuing his GED with the help of volunteer Bryn Wilson. This year, Michael came back for more tutoring and accomplished his goal of obtaining his GED. Excitement fills the building when anyone gets their GED. A few women were studying this week and discussing who would be next! Thanks for inspiring us, Michael!

ADVANCE MEMPHIS BECOMES A CERTIFIED "DRUG FREE WORKPLACE"
Last week Advance was informed that we had met all standards to be approved as a Drug Free Workplace. We're glad to make these standards an official part of our office, our Staffing Service, and our Outsourcing Program.

ISAIAH 61:14
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Work It Memphis gets started!

HELP SUPPORT ADVANCE MEMPHIS! Work it Memphis! is a new kind of fundraiser, designed to harness the power of the internet and social media and raise money to help Advance Memphis expand capacity to serve more people. Two weeks ago, people spent the night outside our building in order to secure their place in our upcoming class. People WANT to work, and Advance Memphis wants to grow our programs to serve more people. We need YOUR help to raise money to make it happen.

To be an Athlete for Work It Memphis, just choose any sport, get sponsors, and keep track of your miles (or dances, or laps).

To be a Sponsor for Work It Memphis, just look for Athletes you know at the bottom of the Work It Memphis! web page, and then click "New Sponsor." You can also make a flat donation to the campaign here.

SO GET STARTED! : The easiest way to get involved as an Athlete or Sponsor is by going to our Facebook app. But you can also get started by going to workit.advancememphis.org.

WATCH THE VIDEO!: Here's the link to the 90 second video that explains more about Work It Memphis! Check it out!

THANKS AGAIN TO 2PC & CITYSERVE!
As you may have heard, Advance was blessed to have a LOT of help during 2PC's CityServe weekend. Volunteers from 2PC's Emmaus class and from our neighborhood came to help and we accomplished an incredible amount of work in a short amount of time. Advance has been blessed recently by the addition of a photographer to our family: staff member Mike Shaw recently married Gretchen who is a talented photographer. Click here to go to the whole slideshow.

WAREHOUSE READINESS CLASS GRADUATES
Advance Memphis is again providing advanced Warehouse Readiness training, including fork lift certification, for some of our Jobs for Life graduates. 8 students graduated from this program on Thursday and will receive raises in their positions with Advance Memphis Staffing. Our prayer is that they will also now be more eligible for full time, permanent positions that become available. We are proud of you, grads!

A Good Week at Advance

EMPLOYED!

We just got word this week that Shawn Bell (second from left with part of his Jobs for Life graduating class) has gone to work at Piggly Wiggly. We love it when grads seek and find employment entirely on their own. Go Shawn!

GRADUATION DAY

Today is another beautiful graduation day at Advance Memphis. Our cup overflows--15 of these 20 grads are going to work IMMEDIATELY through our Staffing Service. Please join us in praying for ALL of these grads. We pray that those who are going to work immediately will make the most of this opportunity. We pray that those who are continuing their search will focus on their goal and be blessed in their efforts. We thank God for WORK.

BRANDY BOUGHT A CAR!

We get so excited when a graduate who is participating in our IDA (matched savings) Program earns enough to purchase a car. Talk about a tangible reward! In this video, Brandy explains why her car purchase is important to her, and how the IDA Program helped her feel confident about the purchase. It's under two minutes, but it's enough to help you understand why this program is so important. Check it out!

HEBREWS 10:35-36

Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Blessings

Advance Is Runner Up in Contest for National HOPE Award for Effective Compassion Thank you to the 3,000+ people who voted in World Magazine's contest for the National HOPE Award for Effective Compassion. While we're disappointed to not be the National Award winner, we're grateful for the blessings that came as a result of the Southern Region Award. Even today there is a new volunteer in the office who became involved after reading the article in World Magazine about us. We've got a relationship with a new employer, too. And our students and neighbors were greatly encouraged by the POSITIVE recognition the neighborhood received because of the article and the Award. Staff, too, were greatly encouraged by your voting. It is a forkliftblessing to be surrounded by so many supporters. Thank you to World Magazine and the American Bible Society for sponsoring the HOPE Award!

Warehouse Readiness Class Begins Monday Last year we ran a Warehouse Readiness pilot program for a select group of our program grads (one is pictured at right during forklift certification). The class was a success, and helped us learn the best ways to structure the program. Fast forward a year, and we've added our Staffing Service to our Programs, which means we've got dozens of employees who are working hard and ready to move up the career ladder. It's time for the Warehouse Readiness program to re-launch in its new and improved form! This Monday, we'll have 13 people begin the 4 week class. They'll meet Mon-Thur from 2-5p in a course designed specifically to make them more attractive candidates for full time, skilled positions in warehouse environments. Congratulations to the new students!

Blessed with a Problem
In the past few months, our class registration days have become quite a phenomenon. People have lined up in the rain. They've lined up in the heat. They've lined up as early as 3:30am. We've turned dozens of people away on registration days and hundreds of people away every 6 weeks between classes. We believe that the presence of this line every six weeks says a lot about this neighborhood. Our neighbors are ready to do what it takes to get a job. They are seeing friends and relatives go to work, and they're coming to be a part of it. In a place where nihilism runs rampant, hope is gaining a foothold. People are lining up when it's inconvenient, uncomfortable, and despite the fact that a spot in class is not guaranteed. We PRAISE GOD for these potential students who come seeking work--and hope. We pray that in the coming months and years, through the Lord's provision, we'll be able to expand capacity, and serve more of these neighbors.

JOHN 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

GENEROSITY [OR] WHY OUR STUDENTS AND GRADUATES ARE AMAZING

Sometimes we're overwhelmed by the generosity of our students and grads. This has been one of those weeks, and we thought we'd share the joy with you. We'll start with an explanation of the picture at left. It's Julie's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIE!) and she was honored today with a gift that is traditional in the neighborhood. Our students gave Julie several dollars to pin to her shirt. The idea is that you wear the money all day, and those who see you will know to wish you a happy birthday - and they'll also be able to add to the gift. All day long, people have been wishing her a happy birthday and adding to her pin. GENEROUS.

We've also had one graduate and one current student contribute many hours of volunteer work over the past couple weeks. Wendell Rucker and Greg Parham have labored hard to help demo a large concrete slab that will be converted to allow for a new meeting space. This was hard work - and their work meant that we were able to complete the project on a small budget. THAT means more dollars for services. GENEROUS.

Along the same lines, we've had MANY graduates volunteer time at our front desk. We haven't had a receptionist for while, and that's isn't easy on staff. We are so grateful for the grads who take the time to give back in this way. GENEROUS.

A few gradautes are talking with us regularly about the idea of holding AA meetings here at our building. They're willing to contribute their time and energy to making this happen, and they know that is a big commitment. But they understand the value to their community. GENEROUS.

PSALM 81:16

But I would feed you with the finest wheat.
I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.

JOBS AND SAVING ACCOUNTS - GOOD THINGS!

Lonnie Thomas was hired on FULL TIME, PERMANENT, WITH BENEFITS by KTG. While we're sad to lose him from Advance Memphis Staffing Service, this is exactly what we dream of for all our grads! We're proud to share that Robert Johnson has gone to work just down the street--at Streets Ministries! He's been brought on staff as a maintenance worker and we can testify that he'll do a great job. He's kept our building looking great by helping with lawn care for years!

We've also had TWO graduates open Individual Development Accounts this week. April Smith has been working with Advance Memphis Staffing Service since her graduation in July. She is saving towards opening a small lawn care business. Go April! Andre Wesley also opened an account this week: take 20 seconds to hear his story below!