CCMC turns out 11 more graduates of Getting Ahead program

Submitted photo BREAKING THE CYCLE: Graduates of Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic's Getting Ahead classes, held at First United Methodist Church, included, from left, Karen Gaston, Jessica Staton, Ami Sims, Tiffany Ware, Iretha Anderson, Robert Braun, Deborah Sargeant, Tenisha Pace, Lexus Brown, Laken Ransom and Terri Gilbert.
Submitted photo BREAKING THE CYCLE: Graduates of Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic's Getting Ahead classes, held at First United Methodist Church, included, from left, Karen Gaston, Jessica Staton, Ami Sims, Tiffany Ware, Iretha Anderson, Robert Braun, Deborah Sargeant, Tenisha Pace, Lexus Brown, Laken Ransom and Terri Gilbert.

Eleven people graduated from Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic's Getting Ahead program on Dec. 12 at First United Methodist Church after learning how to move beyond the "just getting by" mindset, CCMC said in a news release.

CCMC offers the weekly four-month course for free to help participants break out of the cycle of poverty. The program was facilitated by Doug Miller and Lee Richardson.

The 10 women and one man who graduated were not the only beneficiaries of the program, but so were their children, who were able to attend classes while their parents were learning new life skills, the release said.

The children's classes included art instruction in partnership with Cutwell 4 Kids, facilitated by Allison Martinez, a Getting Ahead graduate, and cooking classes facilitated by Walker and Debbie Lloyd.

"I watched myself go from bitter to confident and happy. I prayed more, became more focused, a better listener and a stronger woman. I feel prepared for anything, now," one of the graduates, Lexus Brown, said in the release.

"I'm on a good start to get my nursing degree and a new home. I would like to thank everyone that helped me through a dark place in my life, and especially First United Methodist Church for the meals and everything they helped me with," said another graduate, Iretha Anderson.

Getting Ahead graduates create their own plans for a sustainable life, explore resources they need for sustainability, learn how to build healthy relationships with others, begin the process of writing their own future stories, and examine how to change the legacy they will leave to their families and community, the release said.

Each participant goes through an application and interview process before being accepted into the program.

Getting Ahead also impacts the volunteers who help with the program.

"Being part of the Getting Ahead class has meant more than I could have imagined before this began. I fell in love with each of the participants and they gave so much back to me! They are all precious and deserve the chance to rise above their difficult situations," Tracy Keaton, a Getting Ahead volunteer, said in the release.

Getting Ahead is part of the Bridges Out of Poverty program, which CCMC brought to Hot Springs in 2015 as a way to help communities learn new ways of looking at poverty.

Bridges Out of Poverty was developed by Ruby Payne, Ph.D., and the Getting Ahead curriculum was authored by Philip DeVol to bring a unique understanding of economic diversity that can give individuals, families, and communities new ways of solving problems and provide greater stability within the community.

CCMC's upcoming Chocolate Festival on Feb. 3 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel & Spa will raise vital funds that make programs like Getting Ahead possible. More information about the Chocolate Festival is available on their website, http://www.ccmchs.org.

Future Getting Ahead groups will begin Jan. 16 with an information meeting scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 10 at CCMC, 133 Arbor St. There is an application and interview process before applicants are accepted into upcoming classes. Call Dian Glover at 501-318-1153, ext. 301, or email [email protected].

Local on 12/28/2018

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