AREA WOMEN SHARE STORIES OF SUCCESS AT JOB TRAINING WORKSHOP

Women hoping to make successful transitions from unskilled workers to skilled employees heard from experts Monday during the first day of a Jump Start on Jobs workshop.

Sixteen participants from various job training programs attended the workshop, which is sponsored by the Community Caring Council and being held in the activity center of Evangelical United Church of Christ. The program is a weeklong pre-employment training program for the unemployed.

Teresa Webb, a 32-year old double-divorcee, was one of the speakers giving encouragement to the participants. Webb, who received her GED and successfully completed the Division of Family Services' FUTURES program last month, is working part-time for the city of Cape Girardeau. She told the group success is possible if they "stay prayed up" and set continuous goals for themselves.

"The GED opened the door for me but my success story came after that," she said. "I'm doing exactly what I had the faith and knew God would set in motion for me to do. I'm being trained to do what I want to do. I'm working part time right now, but I expect that eventually I will be moved to full time."

Webb also told participants to hold on to their self-esteem and not let anyone pull them down. "I wasn't on welfare until a man pulled me down," she said. "Don't ever let anyone pull you down and tell you what you aren't and what you can't be. Even though it doesn't look like you're qualified, go for it anyway."

Webb's message was repeated by other speakers sharing their success stories. Mary Crafton, owner of Hakuna Matata day care, told the group to believe in themselves and surround themselves with people who will support them. Crafton received her GED and enrolled in college at the age of 50.

"No matter what's going on, you have to have faith in yourself or you'll never get anywhere," she said. "Don't get shy, back down or anything else."

Participants attending seminars learned how to develop communication skills and assess their strengths and employment interests. Throughout the week they will learn how to make themselves attractive as employees and learn how to have a successful interview.

"The whole thing is about covering their bases," said Mary Gosche, human-development specialist with the University of Missouri Outreach and Extension office. "We want them to examine their personal strengths so they can communicate well with their employers."

Participants who attend the entire workshop will be able to test their new knowledge in real job interviews, Gosche said. They will also receive free of charge an interview outfit from Claire Ellinghouse that is coordinated with a beauty makeover provided by Stage One The Hair School, she said.