Lydia Tate, Executive Director of Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) of McLennan County is one of ten recipients to receive a 2022 Nation of Neighbors empowerment award and grant.
“I have a long-held passion for working with women, especially women in need,” shared Lydia. “To be a part of empowering women on their journey – whether they are working on their education, their resume, or even their internship in social work – is to work towards empowering the entire community.”
CWJC has served adult women since 2003. The organization provides free job training and classes that seek to empower women. Their mission is to offer holistic job training by fostering spiritual, personal, and professional growth enabling women to transform themselves.
CWJC classes include GED prep and testing, money management, entrepreneurship, computer classes, Bible study, personal relationship growth, resume writing, interview skills, communication skills, and much more. The classes are paired with tutoring, case management, and mentoring to make graduates confident and capable employees and community members.
The Nation of Neighbors grant presented CWJC with the opportunity to add two more part-time staff positions. “We are truly grateful to Royal Neighbors for this incredible opportunity,” said Lydia. The new staff members will help CWJC keep programs and facilities operational, ensure essential support to every student on a 1:1 basis, keep them connected and working innovatively through technology and management structures, and allow them to increase their impact in the Waco community.
“A woman’s goals are often put aside due to the needs of her family,” said Lydia. “CWJC walks beside women in their journey and challenges them to take the next steps toward their personal goals. That mother now leads her child towards education, and the daughter shares with her father about her new job. Women empower the world around them and inspire others to take note. Shifting the landscape for just one woman can impact an entire family and community. Her energy to conquer her goals will ignite those around her.”
