Jose Valasquez, who graduated from The WorkFaith Connection’s job readiness workshop, returned to its office to ring the bell of success after being hired. Sounding the bell is a tradition for program participants. To date, 78 percent of WorkFaith Connection’s 1,300 graduates have found employment.
Two local businessmen have pledged $300,000 to match new gifts given to WorkFaith Connection. The nonprofit helps Houston’s most challenged job seekers gain employment. The gift of Terry Looper, CEO of Texon, and J.C. (Rusty) Walter, III, CEO of Walter Oil & Gas, will allow the organization to operate their second facility at full capacity and to train hundreds more men and women on how to overcome the barriers of their past so they can return to the workforce, stabilizing themselves and their families.
Despite recent job growth, The WorkFaith Connection has been experiencing an unprecedented number of job seekers signing up for their comprehensive job readiness workshop. Participants encounter added challenges applying for jobs when transitioning out of prison, homelessness, addiction or unstable life patterns; many have families to support and financial obligations to meet.
“Due to our high success rates, there is a high demand for our services” said Sandy Schultz, WorkFaith Connection’s president and CEO. “The outcome of our program trickles down to families being restored, lives transformed and children reaping the benefits of seeing their parents go to work with a sense of pride and dignity.”
The WorkFaith Connection, founded in 2006, does not receive any government funding. When hired, graduates of its job readiness training return to ring a bell and share their accomplishments. To date, 78 percent of the 1,300 graduates have found employment. Many of the men and women who lived in transitional housing when they started the eight-day job readiness workshop are now working, living independently and contributing to our economy’s growth as tax-paying citizens.
For information, to donate or to volunteer, call 713-984-9611 or visit www.workfaithconnection.org
