Wai‘anae Coast Christian Women’s Job Corp

Area of Focus: Women
Website: None

The Wai`anae Coast Christian Women’s Job Corps (WCCWJC) provides a Christian context in which women in need are equipped for life and employment.  Many of the participants are homeless, have lost their children, or are trapped in abusive relationships. The program is designed to enable women to develop self-esteem, life skills and job readiness so that the women can provide for themselves and their families.

The WCCWJC year-long training program starts with efforts to build the participants’ self-confidence, the basis for women to begin to feel that they can learn and acquire job skills.  The first quarter of training focuses on self-respect and also includes Red Cross CPR and first aid.  Subsequent training includes curricula in computer skills, Certified Nurse Assistant program, medical coding and office skills.  WCCWJC provides all services free of charge to the participants.  This includes classes, textbooks, supplies, lunch and childcare.

The WCCWJC has a well-designed training program, one that is certified by a national organization.  Except for the Red Cross, most teachers and guest lecturers are volunteers.

WCCWJC is preparing to offer the Job Corps training and services in separate programs for women and men at the Hawaii Coalition of Christian Church’s Kahikolu `Ohana Hale O Wai`anae.  The Kahikolu Job Corps program will be open to residents of the transitional housing and to members of the larger community.

In 2007, 13 women started the training program, and seven are graduating.  Two left early because they started jobs, and two left because of drug use.  Approximately 70% of all graduates have obtained jobs, and some have gone to higher education.  Some of the previous participants have been able to reunite with children who had been removed from the home.