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The Covington Christian Women’s Job Corps held its fourth graduation at the Covington Baptist Association on Friday, Feb. 16. Pictured are, from left, (front) Philann Stewart, mentor, Donna Austin, graduate, Zoe Suggs, graduate, Michelle Parker Stokes, graduate, Jordan Johns Morley, graduate, Kayla Walker, graduate, CWJC Site Co-Coordinator Judy Phillips, CWJC Site Co-Coordinator Shirley Smith; (back) Jena Anderson, mentor, Charlotte Hawkins, mentor, Michelle Sutton, mentor, Joyce Ogutu, mentor, Ashley Tyson, mentor, Janet Brantley, mentor, and Janelle Hvidsten, mentor. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

The five graduates are pictured with site coordinators Judy Phillips and Shirley Smith along with their mentors, Covington Baptist Association Director of Missions Dr. Otis Corbitt, and Kittye Wyatt. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Pictured are, from left, Dr. Otis Corbitt, Judy Phillips, Shirley Smith, and Kittye Wyatt. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Pictured are, from left, Site Co-coordinator Judy Phillips, Zoe Suggs, Donna Austin, Michelle Parker Stokes, Jordan Johns Morley, Kayla Walker, and Site Co-coordinator Shirley Smith. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

The five graduates from the Covington Christian Women's Job Corps' fourth session are, from left, Donna Austin, Zoe Suggs, Michelle Parker Stokes, Jordan Johns Morley, and Kayla Walker. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Pictured are, from left CWJC Site Co-coordinator Judy Phillips, Jordan Johns Morley, and CWJC Site Co-coordinator Shirley Smith. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Pictured are, from left CWJC Site Co-coordinator Judy Phillips, Michelle Parker Stokes, and CWJC Site Co-coordinator Shirley Smith. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Pictured are, from left CWJC Site Co-coordinator Judy Phillips, Donna Austin, and CWJC Site Co-coordinator Shirley Smith. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Pictured are, from left CWJC Site Co-coordinator Judy Phillips, Zoe Suggs, and CWJC Site Co-coordinator Shirley Smith. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Pictured are, from left CWJC Site Co-coordinator Judy Phillips, Kayla Walker, and CWJC Site Co-coordinator Shirley Smith. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

Each of the five graduates from the fourth session received a personalized quilt during a Christmas party. Pictured are, from left, Kayla Walker, Donna Austin, Jordan Johns Morley, Michelle Parker Stokes, and Zoe Suggs. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The fourth session spent two and a half days at a beach retreat in Laguna Beach, Panama City Beach, Florida, from Feb. 2-4. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The Covington Christian Women’s Job Corps held their fourth graduation ceremony with five ladies completing the program at the Covington Baptist Association on Friday, Feb. 16.

Graduates from the fourth session are Donna Austin of Andalusia, Jordan Johns Morley of Andalusia, Michelle Parker Stokes of Elba, Zoe Suggs of Elba, and Kayla Walker of Dozier.

“A goal for every CWJC graduate is to have a resume. Donna has already started the application process and utilized her resume. She has two job prospects or job offers. Jordan is a self-motivated young woman who surpassed all her short-term goals by passing the ACE, and MAPS courses at LBWCC. She will be employed by Crossover Ministry. Michelle is one of the participants who made a profession of faith. Since that time, she has had some hard discussions with family and friends. She has a job at a nearby grocery store, so she can be close to home and have a nearby school for her children. Zoe plans to keep in touch and will be an accountability partner for her mentor Amber. Kayla has lots of potential and is determined to find a job, preferably one outside. Kayla says she knows the Lord as her Savior, and she has met for weekly prayer with her mentor. Her mentor indicated that she has given Kayla local nursery information to help with her job search,” Site Co-Coordinators Judy Phillips and Shirley Smith said.

Following their ceremony Friday, all five women graduated from the Crossover Ministry program on Saturday, Feb. 17. The fourth class began on Oct. 6, 2023. The fourth session completed a Bible study titled “Women of the Bible Speak” and a parenting class known as “Christ-Centered Parenting.”

Mentors spent one-on-one time with their students and worked with them to set goals during the session. Former director of Sav-a-Life Sandy Robbins led a group exploration.

Life skills taught by community experts in the fourth session included preparing a resume, dressing appropriately for a job, and balancing a checkbook. The class also visited the Andalusia Public Library and Alabama Career Center. In addition to learning how to write resumes and saving them on jump drives, the five women budgeted money through the game Your Money, Your Life.

The class spent two and a half days at Laguna Beach, Panama City Beach, Florida, from Feb. 2-4, 2024. Covington CWJC staff led the retreat and mentors with a “Devoted” theme based on 1 Kings 8:61. Ashley Tyson led the Bible study, and Amy Knott was in charge of fellowship activities. The five women walked on the beach, had a scavenger hunt, collected seashells, and participated in many games and other activities.

“I came into the CWJC program with many trust issues, and this program really opened my mind and my heart. I experienced genuine love and kindness from the mentors and program leaders, especially at the beach retreat we went on. That trip demonstrated their love and kindness toward us in a real and genuine way,” Austin said.

“I loved the love that was shown to us. I never felt judged and was always accepted. My mentors Ashley and Erica were perfect for me. God knew what he was doing with this group of women. Keep doing what you’re doing,” Morley said.

“I enjoyed our time together. I love every one of y’all and always will. Thank you for everything y’all have done for me,” Walker said.

“Thank y’all for everything. I love y’all,” Stokes said.

“Thank you. Love y’all,” Suggs said.

Dr. Otis Corbitt of the CBA led everyone in attendance with a word of prayer. Mentors for the fourth class were Jena Anderson, Janet Brantley, Charlotte Hawkins, Janelle Hvidsten, Joyce Ogutu, Michelle Sutton, Ashley Tyson, and Amber Vierling who gave the graduation message.

The purpose of Christian Women’s Job Corps, a compassionate ministry of the National Woman’s Missionary Union and Covington Baptist Association, is to provide a Christian context in which women in need are equipped for life. The CWJC’s purpose is fulfilled when a woman has basic life skills necessary for sufficiency, which include substantial employment, adequate income, housing, transportation, childcare, and medical care.

Since April 15, 2022, CWJC has met every Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Christian Service Center in Andalusia. The organization currently shares a room with the food distribution ministry and is included in the CBA’s annual budget.

The start date for the fifth session will be set following renovations being made at the current Crossover Ministries facility due to a recent fire.

Those interested in volunteering with CWJC should contact Phillips at jujaphillips@gmail.com or 850-228-5020 and Smith at shirley213214@gmail.com or 334-488-4715.

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