Start a Workforce Development Class

Her Situation:

Unborn children whose mothers are living in poverty are at heightened risk of abortion. Their mother may already feel like a burden relying on others for help, or she may be scraping by, barely making ends meet. She may even believe that abortion would spare her baby from a lifetime of hardship. 

Over the last four decades, the profile of who resorts to abortion has shifted from teens to single moms in their 20s. Just under half (49%) of women who have abortions live at or below the federal poverty line — $26,650 for a mom with two children. Another 25% live below 200% of poverty. 

She may have a job that doesn’t cover expenses for herself and the children she is already raising. If employed, she may not have paid maternity leave and may not know how she will pay for basics like rent, utilities and food if she is out of work after her baby is born. Or, she may be at risk of losing yet another job because of a lack of reliable transportation or safe childcare. 

Work not only provides material needs; work instills dignity and purpose, and creates opportunities for us to contribute to community life. However, a marred identity, lack of opportunity, trauma, poor education, past incarceration, transportation and childcare issues all contribute to cycles of relational and generational poverty.  

For single moms who lack supportive pathways to sustainable employment, chronic unemployment and underemployment will continue to plague their families. Sometimes, the barriers to employment are deeper than needing a resume and a better wardrobe. A jobs-training program that also addresses the spiritual, social, emotional, and physical needs of single moms is critical. Moms need to be seen and valued as individuals with God-given talents. Their voices and experiences need to be honored. And they need to be encouraged to embrace their identities in Christ with the hope of restored relationships.  

Her Community: 

The Chalmers Center is a nonprofit dedicated to helping churches and ministries respond to poverty with practical biblical principles. Through online courses, ministry training, and global outreach, Chalmers educates churches on how to address poverty at the root instead of only focusing on the immediate symptoms that often leave people trapped in poverty and dependent on others. 

Chalmers developed Work Life, a trauma-informed job readiness program that equips people to overcome barriers to meaningful work through a biblically integrated in a supportive learning community. In addition to equipping participants with skills to succeed in the workforce, classes explore deeper worldview questions related to individual choices, systemic barriers, and relational complexities that people in generational poverty often face when entering the workforce.  

By training church leaders to deliver this program, Chalmers empowers local congregations to impact the lives of those directly in their community by providing encouragement and accountability alongside workforce preparation. The Work Life class includes 11 lessons that can be offered weekly or several times a week. Each session creates a new resource for a portfolio that job-seekers can use to strengthen their search. Portfolio items include their elevator pitch, gifts assessment, cover letters, questions for an employer, and more.  

Work Life site certification takes a holistic approach by equipping ministries with trauma-informed principles and structured support practices that address both vocational and relational barriers to employment. Participants receive job-readiness training but are also supported by ministry leaders who walk alongside them as they pursue meaningful and sustainable work.  

Consider hosting a workforce development program at your church or nonprofit. The Chalmers training provides the expertise so you can host this class with confidence and help those in most need in your community.