EC

7YEARS

2PRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE

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HOPE FOR OUR CITY

2013 AWARD WINNERS

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10120 Northwest Frwy Suite 200

Houston, TX 77092 713.984.9611

5100 Travis Street

Houston, TX 77002281.833.3435

www.workfaithconnection.org

THE WORKFAITH CONNECTION NEWSLETTEROCT. 2013

Breakfast

HIGHLIGHTS

SOUNDS OF SUCCESS

6th ANNUAl FUNDRAISING

September 25, 2013River Oaks Country Club

A GRADUATE’S SUCCESS STORY

The WorkFaith Connection

OUR BOARD MEMBERS

2013 GRADUATION DATES

Dear WorkFaith Family and Friends,

What a great morning! We are still overwhelmed by the generous response, incredible encouragement, and the tremendous vote of confidence given by those who were able to join us September 25th for our Sounds of Success celebration.

It was a joy to share what the lord is doing through you for the men and women who come to The WorkFaith Connection. God is transforming the lives of Houston’s families through your kind hearts and your genuine concern for those in our community.With great courage and boldness, we issued the call to participate in what we strongly believe to be God’s plan for The WorkFaith Connection to have 5 locations in different parts of Houston by 2016.

Every day we see lives changed, families restored, and children reaping the benefits of seeing their parents go back to work. Through our two locations we have seen more than 2,369 people come through the WorkFaith program!

Will you join us on this journey in providing this opportunity for more families all over our city?We are incredibly grateful for your continued faithfulness in supporting this organization through prayer, financial support, volunteering, and hiring our graduates.

With the love of Christ we serve,

Sandy Schultz, President/CEO

SOUNDS OF SUCCESS

God had a mighty story of change and transformation to share with us last month. Marc Meyer of Class 32 (2008) was our Graduate Speaker at this year’s breakfast. In 2006, Marc lost everything good in his life due to a drug addiction, including his children. During this season he met Mary, who had also been struggling with addiction. The two sought help in separate treatment facilities which directed them to The WorkFaith Connection program. The class taught both Marc and Mary how to answer the tough questions about criminal histories and lapses in employment. Soon after they graduated from different classes, Marc and Mary found jobs! In 2010, Marc and Mary married. Still, things were difficult for them financially and Marc was at risk of losing all rights to see his children. But they remained confident in God’s restorative power. Through a pro bono lawyer and the clear changes God was making in Marc’s life, Marc was given the rights to be with his children again. Today, he sees his kids on weekends and they enjoy riding bikes around Hermann Park and attending events at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Earlier this year, after spending 4 1/2 years at his job, Marc’s company was sold and his job was eliminated. He continued to trust in the lord and returned to The WorkFaith Connection. Two days after the class ended Marc applied the skills he learned in class at an interview and landed the job! He is again a petrochemical operator! This job allowed him to continue paying off his child support and his debt.

These are the stories of restoration that fuel the mission of The WorkFaith Connection. Because of your support, Marc has been given the skills and opportunity to build a new life with his wife and kids through work and faith! Thank you!

GRADUATESuccess StoryMARC MEYER

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ThE GEORGE JORDAN TRAilblAzER AwARD

Solomon Henry

Before coming to The WorkFaith Connection in 2009 Solomon Henry had served over 25 years in prison. While in the class he had shown no sign of bitterness but the lord had given him GREAT joy. Through a connection with a member at his church, Solomon found a job at the Houston Furniture Bank. Today he is managing his own business called Houston Mattress Recycling which rests under the umbrella of the Furniture Bank. Solomon and his team are reducing Houston’s landfill by more than 300,000 mattresses per year. He has also hired two WorkFaith Connection graduates to work with him. Solomon’s efforts in bringing Mattress Recycling to the Houston community and hiring his fellow WorkFaith Graduates as employees truly exemplifies the characteristics of a trailblazer!

ThE RAlPh MAREK SPiRiT AwARD

Michael Richardson

Suffering a childhood of poverty, abandonment, and abuse, Michael gravitated toward gang life, drugs, and criminal activity. His poor choices resulted in his spending 31 years in prison. Michael Richardson came to The WorkFaith Connection in February of 2011.

After completing the program, Michael received a job from HSI until his legs would no longer support him. A series of frequent and lengthy hospitalizations followed and yet Michael continued to seek employment.

In January, Michael lost his leg due to chronic circulatory issues, but that hasn’t stopped him. He is eager to get back to work. Today, Michael glorifies God by volunteering for The WorkFaith Connection. Michael’s life is a living testimony of the incredible transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

MORE FOR OUR CiTY!HopeProven Model: Over the past 7 years the need for the services provided by The WorkFaith Connection has been demonstrated and the program has proven to be effective in producing impactful results.

Currently 2 locations; expanding to 5 locations in Houston by 2016: At both office locations, instructional and job search services are offered as well as a full spectrum of spiritual and life skills development programs.

Church Partnerships: We will continue to expand capacity by entering into partnerships with churches to provide access to space and other needed resources such as volunteers and technology. We will provide the necessary paid staff and we will oversee the program. With our passionate emphasis on building a significant volunteer program, we will not only improve the effectiveness of the program, we will decrease our cost per client served, creating greater leverage of God’s resources for the Kingdom!

Spiritual Focus: Our primary objective is to bring our Graduates, Volunteers, Employers, Staff and Donors into an environment that ignites growth in our relationships with God, while providing the dignity of work to every man and woman we serve.

Marquette reunited with all three of her children.

With each passing year, we can see the growing impact of connecting work + faith

to change lives in our community.

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The WorkFaith Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

www.workfaithconnection.org

Stan Marek, board ChairmanChairman and CEO, Marek Family of Companies

Chris CarmoucheGeneral Counsel, Post Oak Bank

Gary DunkumPrincipal, Grandbridge Real Estate

Randall EdwardsPresident, NOV Grant Prideco

barbara ElliotPresident, Center for Renewal

Russell GinnPrincipal, REG Aero, LLC

Kevin howardVice President-Finance

Kinder Morgan Gas Pipeline Group

John KafkaPresident and CEO, Chamberlin Roofing and Waterproofing

John McDivittFormerly, CEO – American Red Cross (Houston)

bob zorichManaging Partner, Encap Investments

Sandy Schultz, President & CEO

bOARD MEMbERS

CO

NNECTIN

G

W

ORK & FAIT

H7YEARS

The WorkFaith Connection

JOiN US FOR A GRADUATiON

10120 Northwest Frwy Suite 200

houston, TX 77092 713.984.9611

November...............1 November.............15December.............13

5100 Travis Street houston, TX 77002

281.833.3435

November...............8 November.............22December..............13

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