| What is a
Jobs for Life (JfL) Site? |
A church or organization that implements
Jobs for Life’s job training and support strategy
enabling unemployed and underemployed individuals to obtain
and maintain meaningful employment:
- JfL sites will mobilize volunteers generally
from within their organization to implement the JfL training
course for individuals in need of employment.
- Each site will operate using the JfL curriculum,
leadership guides, and other materials provided by JfL
headquarters.
- JfL Customer Service will continue to
provide support and technical assistance to JfL sites
to enable their ongoing success.
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- People in your community need employment or better jobs
- Employers in your area can not find the people they need
- People coming out of prison need a job
- People are moving off of welfare need to go to work
- You are looking for a proven job training model with track record of success
- You are interested in implementing a Biblically-based job training strategy
- You need a viable strategy to mobilize your church/organization to reach out to the unemployed
- You want to help people transform their lives
- You are interested in being a part of a local and national network of churches and organizations committed to the same mission of helping those who struggle with work
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| What are the
benefits of being a JfL Site? |
Success for a site not only comes through
the materials and products provided by JfL, but also through
the ongoing support and service provided by JfL Customer
Service and its network of sites. JfL sites receive ongoing
training and assistance from JfL Customer Service, product
updates, access to other site leaders across the country,
opportunities to engage JfL’s strategic partners,
etc.
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| What are the costs to be a JfL Site? |
There is a one time toolkit cost plus shipping and handling for your church, business, or organization to purchase a JfL tookit. The toolkit contains all the materials needed to lead a JfL class for 10 students. When you need additional materials, you can order them online from the JfL Store.
In addition to these costs, your site should plan for any other costs to run a JfL class, including food, refreshements, supplies, staffing needs (if necessary), or other implementation costs. Many sites are able to cover the majority of these costs through volunteers or dontated items.
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| How does JfL
training compare to other job training programs? |
JfL training is distinct in its ability
to equip an underutilized resource, churches and community-based
organizations, in workforce development to improve employment
outcomes for the unemployed, underemployed and working poor.
By mobilizing this resource to provide focused training
and support in basic workplace principles, JfL training
accomplishes the following objectives:
- Employment rates increase among program
participants
- Job retention rates increase among program
graduates
- Students demonstrate measurable improvements
in work-related skills, and increased confidence from
experience and knowledge gained
- Students have identified or overcome the
root causes that keep them from obtaining and retaining
employment
- Students are connected to a community
of support
- Students are seeking additional training
or are plugged in to future opportunities
JfL training is also unique in the way
it is implemented. Because local churches and community
based organizations implement the training, program participants
experience an extraordinary sense of community during JfL
training classes not found in other job training programs.
It is through this community that course participants receive
the encouragement and support they need not only to effectively
achieve the course requirements but also ensure the student
can be successful long after the course is completed.
Finally, JfL training is distinct from other job training
programs because of the way it engages the business community
as a primary customer. Through its network of sites and
the systems that support this network, businesses receive
employees from JfL training who demonstrate the attitude
and work ethic needed to be a valuable asset to the company
and who have with them the support system needed to ensure
their success. This enables the business to focus its energy
and resources on what it does best, running its business.
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| Who provides
leadership at a JfL site? What are their roles? |
Every JfL Site has a Site Leadership
Team consisting of the following four primary roles:
- Site Leader
- Recruits, oversees and inspires individuals to fill
team leader positions and coordinates teams to ensure
a successful JfL class.
- Class Leader
- Recruits instructors, arranges for group discussion
leaders and audio visual equipment as needed, acts as
host for each class and distributes, collects and reviews
student homework assignments.
- Champion Relations
Leader - Recruits, evaluates, trains and oversees
“champions” (previously called “mentors”);
and coordinates regular “success celebrations”
for the class during the program.
- Business Relations
Leader - Recruits business partners with entry
level jobs and a willingness to consider JfL graduates
as candidates, organizes student interviews and class
presentations by partner representatives concerning their
job field.
In addition, there are other roles that can be filled to enhance the class experience. These include:
- Student Relations Leader - Recruits the un and under employed who desire to improve their work situation from the church or other community organizations, screens for appropriateness, leads class orientation and organizes graduation and follow up graduate activities.
- Administration
Leader - Arranges classroom space and room setup;
childcare and student transportation (if needed); refreshments
and ensures that all pertinent information is captured
on students and class volunteers.
- Prayer Leader - Prays throughout the class period for students, champions,
businesses, instructors, their families, the success of
the JfL classes, solutions for problems encountered, and
specific student and team member prayer requests.
At some JfL sites, a team of people might fill each
role, not just one person. At other sites, one person might
fill two of the leadership roles (We do not recommend more
than 2). No matter the number of people filling these roles,
it is imperative the four primary roles are covered to ensure a
successful JfL site. Further details on the Leadership positions
can be found in each of their respective guides.
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| What does JfL national office provide to JfL sites? |
- Use of Jobs for Life tools and materials
- Ongoing assistance by Jobs for Life national staff through e-mail and phone
- Access to Jobs for Life workshops providing face-to-face leadership training
- Access to new curricula/materials
- Access to Jobs for Life’s business and government partnerships
- National e-newsletter and regular updates
- Access to other Jobs for Life site leaders
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| Key steps for establishing a JfL Site? |
- Read through Jobs for Life information.
- Assess the need for Jobs for Life in your local community, church, or organization.
- Identify someone who will carry the vision for your Jobs for Life site and do the initial organizing at your church/organization.
- Assess the availability of committed volunteers who could serve in leadership on a Jobs for Life Site Leadership Team.
- Purchase a Jobs for Life Site Toolkit online at the JfL Store.
- Review the full Jobs for Life toolkit, which includes materials and detailed explanations of how to begin and develop your successful Jobs for Life site.
- Finalize your Jobs for Life Site Leadership Team and begin to promote your new Jobs for Life site.
- Order additional materials from the JfL Store, if needed.
- Start your first Jobs for Life training course and begin helping people obtain and retain meaningful employment.
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