Our Stories
Experiencing God’s Work in our Participant’s lives
It is never too late to make a change! With God all things are possible and that is exactly what our Spring 2020 Graduate determined upon completing our program. It was her dream to become a pharmacy technician and she followed that dream!
Juanita reached her goal in January of 2022, just two years following her completion of our program at CWJC. We celebrate her determination, her tireless efforts and her trust in God to make all things better in His own time.
Congratulations, Juanita!
Sharon Maurer
Executive Director
God’s Strength Gave Esther Hope
Esther was a student that had so much joy, it was contagious! She was studious and took to heart what our classes taught her. Towards the end of our semester she realized her dream to become a CNA was possible!
God gave her strength to research her options and she was able to find a way to get her classes paid for in return for a commitment to working there for some time after she completed them. She did not waste any time! In fact, she started her CNA classes the day our classes at CWJC ended.
Some time later that summer she stopped in my office to say hello and to pick up her graduation gifts. It was then that I learned that she completed her training and was going to become a nurse! I was elated!
It is always amazing to see how God strengthens us and makes our paths straight in the direction he leads.
Congratulations, Esther! Keep your heart open to all that God has in store for you!
One Step at a Time
Where You Belong!
When Hilda moved from Africa to Abilene after marrying her husband, she was excited to begin their new life together and start a family. But adjusting to a new country, culture, and workplace expectations wasn’t easy.
“I was looking for any place where I could get orientation, direction, and help on how to proceed in my next steps,” she shared. “After praying about it, last year (2024) I was scrolling through Facebook and saw an advert about CWJC and looked into it.”
What she found was more than just a class — it was a community.
“It has been a revealing, building, healing, and educating experience for me. The atmosphere is warm, accepting, and encouraging. From the first class, it was like something in me was awakened.”
She states further: “ I am more confident, inspired, driven and have regained my mojo. I am not confused about what to do. At least I know where to start. Which I wasn’t sure about before this session. “
Today, Hilda works at a local State Farm agency, has earned her insurance license, and loves her job.
At CJC, she didn’t just find information — she found hope, direction, and community.
Overcomer!
Evelyn was a participant in the Spring of 2023! She came to EmpowHER with a dream to get her CDL license and work for public transportation. She would come in early to class and would have her book with her to study. She knew that driving was her passion and she trusted God’s timing to show her the way.
One day we had a guest speaker come and present a resume workshop. This person knew that City Link, the public bus transportation in Abilene, would train you to become a bus driver. This was excellent news!
Evelyn went on her own initiative and set up an interview and was hired on the spot! The funny part of the story is that she did not want to start working until after our program was finished because she got so much from our classes.
We are so proud of you, Evelyn! Keep up the good work!
Working Her Way Up!
Introducing a CJC alumnus from 2021, who has been faithful to come to our weekly Bible Study over the last few years. She has given her testimony at our graduations, AND NOW she serves on our Board of Directors!
She is such a delightful woman of God and spreads sunshine everywhere she goes. We love that she is our first board member, who is also a graduate of our program.
She is a hard worker and dedicated to telling people about Christ!
We are so proud of this graduate from our program in 2023! She came to our program with some specific goals to move forward in her life---and she did it!
Change, even good change, is difficult for most people. This student came to class every day--perfect attendance! She did the work and she learned so much in the 9-week session. What really stands out about her is her determination, her persistance and her cheerful way of tackling goals.
We are proud to report that she found her dream job, has gained so much independence, and continues to grow more every day.
Beautiful Story of Faith
I remember at my papa funeral Pastor Jeff was saying that greater things come later and I thought he was speaking through me and I thought about CWJC God was using that time for me to grieve and prepare for it. Then last year in March of 2024 I attended CWJC and it was amazing. I learned so many things last year like I learned how to step in Faith into big things like learning how to drive and getting my learners permit last year. I remember a month later classes got canceled for the semester which was kinda sad for me that I couldn't finish out the semester I was asking God what he wants me to do in my life and then I decided to get baptized on June 2nd 2024 because I founded my faith while attending CWJC and it was amazing. Then I got my learners permit last year as well so that was amazing also. So this year I was asking God where he was leading me and he led me to volunteer at hendricks and he gave me a second chance to do CWJC again which was amazing.
I just want to say thank you to my family who supported me through all of this for sure. I want to say thank you to Sharon and the other CWJC volunteers and teachers who believed in me that I can do big things in my life and that I can overcome obstacles and challenges. So thank you everyone for believing in me. “