Classes for Christian Women’s Job Corps meet at Heritage United Methodist Church at 29768 Huntsville Brownsferry Road. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – With each new semester, Christian Women’s Jobs Corps accepts volunteer support that, in turn, rewards the individuals who share their time with others.

“Our job at Christian Women’s Job Corps is to assist area women to become self-sufficient by equipping them with essential educational, employment and life skills so that they can become viable contributors to the community,” Susan Elder said. Elder works as site coordinator in Madison.

“I have nine ladies to interview for this semester,” Elder said. “Please be in prayer for the Madison site as spring 2017 officially gets underway.”

“One immediate need is our daily lunches,” she Elder. Elder accepts volunteers, either individuals or groups, to provide a meal to students during the semester.  

Elder asks meal providers to prepare seven servings. Lunch will be served promptly at 11:30 a.m. “Please provide everything needed to make the lunch complete, including paper goods,” she said.

For meal menus, Elder suggest light, seasonal foods. One option is crock pot soup/entree, bread and cookies. Submarine sandwiches and cookies are another suggestion. Students would enjoy barbecue-stuffed baked potatoes and dessert. Drinks are needed for each meal.

“Your group may want to serve brown-bag lunches – maybe a sandwich, cookie, chips and a note of encouragement,” Elder said.

In addition to the weekly meals, three special events, or Celebration Days, are held each semester. These meals involve 25 to 30 servings.

“We can’t do it alone. We rely on volunteers, donations and services by the community to help these women change their futures,” Elder said.

The jobs corps constantly needs donations for flash drives, gift cards from business supply stores, professional clothing, used/new computers and services from doctors, dentists, attorneys and mechanics. Cash donations also are welcome.

Residents can volunteer their time to serve as mentors. Elder asks business owners to consider placing a corps intern in their office and benefit from free intern labor.

An orientation celebration is planned for Feb. 15, followed by the first class day on Feb. 21. Classes will dismiss for Spring Break during the week of March 13.  

The host in Madison for Christian Women’s Job Corps is Heritage United Methodist Church at 29768 Huntsville Brownsferry Road, which is 1/4 mile west of County Line Road. Office hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call 256-886-2280 or visit cwjc.net.