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Graduates, family members, and staff members of Hope Inspired Ministries (HIM) gathered at New Salem Christian Church in Hayneville on Dec. 7 to celebrate the sixth and final set of classmates to graduate from the HIM program this year.

Director John Bowman said that the program aims at helping its graduates to not only find careers, but also to excel once they’ve gotten their feet in the door.

“We are workforce development with a heavy dose of social work,” Bowman said. “We’re teaching the job skills that the employers want, not only to get a job, but the skills that if you go in and apply them with excellence, then you will promote up.”

Graduates of the sixth class of 2023 included Quinnettria Chapman, Angela Dunning, Victoria Fletcher, Shoshanda Murphy, and Alfreda Smiley.

Hope Inspired Ministries is a faith-based organization whose mission is to serve unemployed individuals by preparing and equipping them to obtain, maintain, and excel at employment.

Founded in 2012, HIM staff work to serve unemployed individuals by preparing and equipping them to obtain, maintain, and excel at employment. 

Students of the program are taught soft skills like honesty and good work ethic, employment skills, financial literacy, and character building. In addition, HIM provides documentation assistance, spirituality and life coaching, internships, and a lifetime support system for its students.

During the ceremony, the graduating individuals shared their unique experiences of what led them to join the program as well as how being a part of the program has changed different aspects of their lives. 

Murphy explained how the program has provided her with the resources she needed to get her life back on track after suffering an injury which left her out of work.

“Before the HIM program, I was a stay at home mom trying to figure out my steps for getting back into the work environment after being injured on the job,” Murphy said. “I began to lose faith trying to find a job that would accomodate my boys’ schedule with reasonable pay. One day I checked my mail and had gotten a post card from the program so I decided to call and give it a try. The HIM program has taught me some resourceful knowledge on being prepared and applying for jobs, brought me back closer to God, and has given me a better outlook on being coachable, being prepared, having effort and work ethic, and least but not last- Christ.”

Murphy went on to express a deep gratitude for the classmates and instructors who helped her along the way, expressing that those individuals now feel more like family members than just friends.

“The program has become a family for me,” Murphy said. “The support we give eachother, both from fellow classmates and instructors, is very heartfelt. HIM has also changed my way of thinking, my values, my energy, and my attitude. For that, I will always be thankful for this experience.”

Lowndes County residents interested in learning more about Hope Inspired Ministries or applying to enroll in the program are encouraged to call 334-548-4673, visit their website at hopeinspiredministries.org, or visit the campus at 60 Curve Drive in Hayneville.