“I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up.”
-- Acts 20:32
Fresh Start Empowerment Center
Youth Development
Volunteers/Internships
Housing Services
Healthy Lifestyles/Education
Fresh Start Empowerment Center
The Empowerment Center is the pathway for generational change. In many cases, the adult learners are first generation high school or equivalency graduates. The Empowerment Center is a year round full time comprehensive education and mentoring program primarily targeting adult learners in West Jackson and Hinds County. The adult learners' lives, communities, relationships, specific challenges, strengths and responsibilities are deeply integrated into the learning process.
The program offers job placement, family activities, arts and culture, opportunities for civic engagement and volunteerism, homebuyer education, financial literacy, post graduation transition and other enhancements. The Empowerment Center meets a critical need when we consider that:
While it addresses personal and social barriers faced by adult learners, VOCM perceives them as citizens and leaders who will rebuild their communities.
Youth Development
Annually, more than 200 youth are involved in one or more of our developmental and recreational programs which include:
Summer Youth Ministry
The Summer Enrichment Camp provides students with seven weeks of activities throughout the summer: Academic Enrichment, Service-learning, Art and Dance, Swimming, Field Trips, Outdoor Recreation, and Chapel. Students not only look forward to a day of fun activities, but they also increase their reading and math skills in the process!
Volunteers/Internships
Volunteers
One of VOCM's unique ministries is its volunteer and intern program. Since the beginning, volunteers have been coming to help out with our various ministries. Most of our volunteer groups come for a week at a time during the spring or summer months. While here, they learn about Christian community development, racial reconciliation, social justice, and other issues at the heart of VOCM. Although most volunteers work in our housing department, some work in the office, in the after-school and summer program, and in the GED program. We encourage our volunteers to become immersed in the community around them, to understand why we're here and what we're doing. We hope that after their time here, our volunteers will have a greater understanding of the scope of God's kingdom, and a passion for reaching out to those in need in their home communities.
During the summer, college-age students can participate in our intern program. This six-week program is an intensive foray into the Voice of Calvary world. Participants receive practical, hands-on experience in cross-cultural urban ministry and holistic Christian Community Development. Events include guest lecturers, field trips, weekly Bible studies, community night activities, etc. Interns are placed into various fields depending upon their skills and interests; they will range from the housing department to the youth department to other local ministries such as those working with the homeless.
Summer Internships
Each summer, Voice of Calvary Ministries invites college students from around the world to get involved with different VOCM projects by dedicating their summer and staying in Jackson, Mississippi.
Link
Short- or Long-Term Internships
Participants in the short and long-term internship program also live, work and worship in the west Jackson community. Though this experience, interns gain an understanding of Christian Community Development and have many opportunities to get involved in neighborhood life.
If you are interested in bringing a group for a week of volunteering, interning for any period of time, or if you want more information about volunteer services contact: willbrewer@vocm.org.
Housing Services
Home Buyer Education
Home Buyer Education’s purpose is to provide potential new homeowner’s with valuable information that will allow them to make the best decisions for their first home purchase. The topics discussed in the eight-hour “Realizing the American Dream” curriculum are:
- Are You Ready—This section is designed to allow the participant to make a self-evaluation of their mortgage readiness.
- Managing Your Money—provides tools and techniques for properly saving and using money.
- Understanding Credit—explains credit, credit scores, and how credit plays a role in obtaining a mortgage loan
- Getting a Mortgage Loan—covers the mortgage process from application to closing
- Shopping For a Home—helps potential homeowners decide their housing needs and wants, working with real estate agents, and what to look for while house hunting.
Individual Counseling
First-time homebuyers may need individual assistance and guidance in order to become successful in their home purchasing goals. Housing Counselors are available to provide one-on-one assistance with budgeting, debt management and credit counseling.
The road to homeownership is often long and tedious; however, the work does not stop once the goal of homeownership is obtained. Voice of Calvary Ministries offers several services to help new and existing homeowners become successful homeowners over the long term.
Post Purchase Education
Our Post Purchase Education is designed to be an ongoing help to homeowners. We use the NeighborWorks curriculum “Keeping the American Dream” and the Mississippi Home Corporation’s curriculum “HomeWise.” The curriculum covers three basic areas.
Finances—It is important that existing homeowners continue to budget and save money, watch their credit and manage their debts.
Community Awareness—A homeowner’s responsibilities don’t stop at paying a mortgage and performing maintenance, it is also being a part of your community. Your home purchase is an investment and staying informed and involved in your community helps to protect your investment.
Home Repair and Maintenance— One important difference in renting and homeownership is the responsibility of maintenance and repair. However, it is not impossible. With the right tools and information, it can get a lot easier for homeowners. Some of the topics covered are preventive and seasonal maintenance and minor and major repairs. It offers ways to finance repairs and plan for the unexpected.
Mortgage Delinquency Counseling
Unfortunately, circumstances sometimes cause homeowners to fall behind on their mortgage. In an effort to reduce the foreclosure rate we offer assistance with mortgage delinquency by helping the homeowner determine the cause of the default, work out repayment plans, and discuss alternatives to foreclosure.
Rental Counseling
During rental counseling clients receive information on the rights and responsibilities of tenants, lease and rental agreements, and evictions and grievances. Renters can also receive assistance with locating affordable rental properties including rent subsidy programs.
Credit Counseling
A big part of becoming mortgage ready is your credit history. The individual counseling sessions are comprised of two parts, reviewing your credit history and developing an action plan. You and a credit counselor will sit down and go over your credit history. You will have the opportunity to discuss each item. Once that is complete, the counselor will assign you tasks to complete. These tasks are designed to improve your credit score and/or help you become mortgage ready. The counselor will closely monitor your progress and provide you with updates on your status.
Financial Fitness
We believe in training our clients in "Financial Fitness". Financial Fitness will increase the wealth building potential of low- to moderate-income families. Improving your money management skills is the foundation to achieving long-term financial goals, such as buying a home, starting a business, paying for college or saving for your retirement. It is important that our clients not only prepare for homeownership, but learn how their money can work for them and improve their quality of life. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, but how well you manage what you have determines your financial stability.
Healthy Lifestyles/Education
Healthy people create and better manage more livable communities. Through encouraging healthier, more active lifestyles, Voice of Calvary Ministries promotes the health and wellness of the individual as well as the quality of neighborhood environments. With your partnership we can implement these new initiatives:
Health Disparities and Health Education
VOCM builds health related wellness activities into all its programs and community education models, including health literacy, disease prevention, and physical fitness. VOCM will also build on its history of advocating for the socially marginalized such as those living with mental health issues.
