Jobs for Life - Building lives. One job at a time. Jobs for Life - Building lives. One job at a time.
 
 
Frequently Asked Questions: Jobs for Life - General
 

What is a Jobs for Life (JfL) Site?

  Why become a JfL Site?
  What are the benefits of being a JfL Site?
  What are the costs to be a JfL site?
  How does JfL training compare to other job training programs?
  Who provides leadership at a JfL site? What are their roles?
  What does JfL national office provide to JfL sites?
  Key steps for establishing a Jobs for Life site.


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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Why become a JfLSite?

 

  • 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:

  1. Site Leader - Recruits, oversees and inspires individuals to fill team leader positions and coordinates teams to ensure a successful JfL class.
  2. 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.
  3. Champion Relations Leader - Recruits, evaluates, trains and oversees “champions” (previously called “mentors”); and coordinates regular “success celebrations” for the class during the program.
  4. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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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For information, contact Jobs for Life, P.O. Box 20368, Raleigh, NC 27619 • Phone: 888.408.1565 • Email: info@jobsforlife.org
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