December 1, 2021 Andie had no idea her life was about to take a drastic turn for the better. After a life lived in and out of prison, on the streets, selling and using drugs, Andi was at the end of herself.
"I've always heard people say they didn't want to look themselves in the mirror and I thought, yeah right," Andie explains. "I didn't want to look in the mirror. I was so ashamed. I didn't want to look like that anymore."
Andi set a date to come to the Lovelady Center and on December 1st entered the program.
Once participants complete Phase 1 of the Lovelady program, they receive a job readiness placement. These placements work to give each woman on-the-job training while in the program and also support the work of the ministry. Andi worked several job readiness placements before being selected for the Dental Clinic.
"I've learned the dental lingo, how to assist with cleanings, partials, dentures. All the things I need to be a dental assistant," Andie tells us.
Just four days following her graduation from The Lovelady Center, Andi began her job as a dental assistant at a local dental clinic.
"Who would have thought? Who would have thought? Not me," exclaims Andie. "It's a real job."
When asked where Andie would be today if she hadn't come to The Lovelady Center just under a year ago, she tells us: "Probably on the streets selling drugs again. Lord forbid being dead... or would I be still looking in that mirror, ashamed?"
"There is no reason a person cannot turn their life around at The Lovelady Center. They give you everything you need to get better. I feel like I got out of the boat when I got here on December 1st and got into the Ark."
Job Readiness: Investing in Something Greater
Once women complete Phase One in the program, they are required to participate in a job readiness placement.
Women are expected to participate in job readiness throughout their remaining tenure in the program. From working at the Lovelady Thrift Stores and transporting women to and from, to maintenance in the Center and working in the kitchen, our Job Readiness Program works to prepare women for employment once treatment is complete.
In addition to helping women develop strong characteristics future employers appreciate, completing job-readiness assignments during their stay also promotes self-efficacy among the women. Treatment programs are expensive. When a woman invests "sweat equity" in her job readiness placement, she is investing in her own recovery (and also in the recovery of those going through the program around them).
Job readiness also creates community among women in the Center. They strive together to accomplish a common goal, encouraging and edifying one another as they perform duties in their placement. Once women complete the first three phases at The Lovelady Center, their job placement may work in conjunction with our Education Department to serve the dual purpose of gaining certification. Our beauty salon and dental clinic are both able to serve as apprenticeship placements for women who are working towards certification in cosmetology and dental assistance certification.
Opportunities to Invest in The Lovelady Center
Investment of Time
"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." -Ephesians 2:10
Come alongside the Lovelady Center and serve our residents: Volunteer
Investment of Resources
"Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship — a different kind of 'sacrifice' —that take place in the kitchen and in the workplace and on the streets. -Hebrews 13:16 (MSG)
Because of God’s goodness, we are able to sustain 70% of our program through earned revenue generated by our Lovelady Thrift Stores and other sources of revenue. Thirty percent of our budget comes from donors to our mission: Give
- $3000 provides services for one Lovelady for an entire year
- $250 provides services for a month
- $60 provides services for a week
Investment of Social Capital
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
As the saying goes, Be a Friend, Make a Friend, Bring a Friend to Lovelady! Each of us have friends and colleagues who may resonate with the work at The Lovelady Center. We offer monthly opportunities for you to come and bring a friend (or four) to learn more about and see the Center: lucy@loveladycenter.org