Barbara’s Story

I had lost my job of 20 years and was deeply hurt and devastated. I had no computer skills and all prospects wanted someone with computer skills. In my previous job I did things manually.

I started looking for some place I could learn these skills. I found that the Huntsville Public Library was offering classes. I went to many classes offered. I finished (1-day topic classes), but I needed more. I was out one day and just by a chance meeting, I ran into a lady I had met at the classes at the library. She told me about Christian Women’s Job Corps. She was already enrolled at First Baptist site and told me to go and fill out an application.

I did and was accepted for the Hillsboro site classes. I started classes at Hillsboro and was in the first class there. We had computer training each day, plus we had Bible Study and speakers to come in and speak to us on various topics such as banking, how to dress for success, etc. We learned how to put together an impressive resume. We had internships with various companies in the afternoon after class.

I was involved with the mentor program and had a beautiful lady, Francis Moore, to advise me and help me along. Later I became a mentor to another lady and tried to help in her journey to find employment.

With God’s leading always being a base for our journey, a lady that had spoken to us on how to dress for success told Pat Swinford, our Site Coordinator, about a job opening with the corporate office where she worked. She asked Pat to suggest someone she thought might fit the job description. Pat and the lady decided on me. What a blessing!!! To God be the glory!

An interview was set up with these people. I was hired that day and went right to work that day and have been there ever since. I hired in as office manager. These are wonderful people and a great place to work. I have been there now for 13 years, and I love it. I have grown in my skills and am now the Occupancy Specialist.

My journey was directed by God, and He helped me each step of the way to come into contact with all these fine people who have made such a wonderful difference in my life. Through this direction I was led to Christian Women’s Job Corps.

My time with Christian Women’s Job Corps at the Hillsboro site brought me to where I am now. I will ever be grateful for the contribution to my life that was due to my interactions with the Christian and loving people at Christian Women’s Job Corps, especially Pat Swinford.