The Hope Center at Pullen — a faith community of hospitality, affirmation and justice — strives to remove barriers to opportunity through personal and community partnerships.
Our Stories In Words
Students, job seekers, volunteers and donors - all of us - have our own vision of hope. People who are a part of The Hope Center share their experience. Read their stories below:
Meet Ashley Williams
After four years in the Foster Care System, Ashley Williams, age 22, struggled transitioning into adulthood. Maintaining stable housing, completing her High School education and securing employment seemed like insurmountable goals. In October, 2011, she came to the Hope Center at Pullen full of worries about her past and difficulties in stabilizing her present.
Four months in the new Foster Youth Program provided her with the tools and support to find housing, secure a job and work toward earning her GED. "They made me believe in myself again. I can call them anytime — even in the middle of the night — and I know they'll be there for me," said Williams. To read more about Ashley and others in her situation, go to http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/07/1912049/former-foster-youths-get-a-helping.html.
Job Readiness Program: Dillard
Mary and Dillard
Dillard, an honorably discharged Marine, was living in the South Wilmington Street Center and serving probation time for felonies when he enrolled in the Job Readiness Program. Now, after making a commitment to become self-sufficient and with encouragement from his mentor, Mary, he has been employed for 10 months and rents an apartment. Most importantly, Dillard has re-established himself in the life of his six-year-old son.
Dillard is one of hundreds of adults in our area who have sought emergency and transitional shelter. In Raleigh and Wake County, more than 3,300 people including 500 veterans experience homelessness during the course of a year. At The Hope Center, however, Dillard was not one of many. He was the focus of the relationship with his mentor. Their one-on-one relationship provided support, guidance, and encouragement as he moved to a better path on his journey forward.
Dillard acknowledged, "What really made a difference for me was knowing that someone was there to support me; someone who cared about me. I’m thankful for Mary."
Mary added, "Dillard is a great guy with good job skills and a dedication to improving his life; he is willing to work hard and to change. As mentor to Dillard, my job has been to hang out, listen, laugh, nag him a little, get nagged a little, and develop our friendship. Mostly it's about Dillard and me giving each other time and attention: that's what we all need, isn't it?"
Congratulations, Judea!
JobLink: The search, the suit & the full-time offer
Volunteer AmeriCorps member Warren and a very determined client of The Hope Center, Judea, met regularly in early 2010 to skim job postings and to organize a chronological work history for job applications. Well, the resolve to get a job and the preparation to find one paid off. By March, Judea had a job interview with Kentucky Fried Chicken. The restaurant offered him a full-time position the next day. He accepted!
Judea is a JobLink participant. JobLink services that support jobseekers in their search for employment are offered on Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons and mid-day Wednesdays. No appointment is necessary. Tell someone you know who is job hunting. Consider volunteering.
Ricky, a Job Readiness Program participant, and Laura, a mentor, are collaborating to secure steady employment for him.
A team, they have confidence in themselves and each other.
Watch the video
Job Readiness Program: Ricky's experience
Wow!!! Where do I begin?
Porter welcomed me with a open mind and a warm heart, then enrolled me in the Job Readiness Program. She sent me to get an eye exam and some reading glasses. This helped me to see a brighter future for myself. I learned many new things in class; how to write a resume, job searching and completing a job application. At the ripe old age of 43, I'm now enrolled in GED classes to further my education for a chance to gain a career.
My Pullen mentor, Laura, is my best friend, an extraordinary lady. She has changed my life and in doing so, Laura has saved my life.
Job Readiness Program: Mike's experience
I recall my initial reaction when my friend, Ricky, mentioned the idea of going over to the Hope Center at Pullen to enroll in their Jobs Readiness Program. It was like, "Yeah right ... another program with no end result." I could not have been more wrong.
I met Mary, my mentor. She too was very pleasant and personable, but a real stickler for knowing details and that made me a bit uneasy at first, because I don't like to let strangers into my life or my heart; the proverbial brick wall had to be encased around me again.
As time went on, Mary and I began to develop an even closer bond than I had anticipated and I felt as if we were really getting used to one another. One thing I used to tell Mary was that I was beginning to learn to be brutally honest with ME ... which let me be honest with her; I think she knew it.
The Jobs Readiness Program is a valuable tool for those like me who are trying to find out just who they are and where they belong. I now know who I am and am still searching to find where I belong, but that is fine because of my relationship with the fine folks at the Hope Center.
In closing, I would like to say to all the upcoming Jobs Readiness mentors and participants ...
Icons aren't drawn, they are written.
It's not about race, religion or color
But it is all about LOVE
This is what the Hope Center at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church stands for.
May God continually bless the people of Pullen!