Work Life Ally
Vision for our Allies
To build a reciprocal learning relationship with Work Life participants as they strive to live in harmony with God, self, others, and creation. In particular, Work Life focuses on broken relationships in those areas as they relate to the workplace.
Why Ally?
Relationships. At Advance Memphis, we are privileged to see so many people truly experience the life-changing power of Jesus Christ while having their dignity restored and gaining hope and vision for their futures. Many of these same graduates, just like you and me, also become discouraged and feel defeated in the workplace and in their relationship with God. God knows we are all prone to discouragement and His solution to this problem: relationships. Meaningful friendships (especially between racial and socio-economic divides) foster gospel growth yet are often the missing ingredient. Our belief is that we all need Allies, or individuals committed to pursuing together, the kind of life transformation only found in Christ.
What Does an Ally do?
● Prayer - Our hope is that you would commit to praying for and with the graduates and follow the Spirit’s lead.
● Facilitate a weekly small group. - The Work Life class is a biblically based 5-week program that aims to empower adults to be economically self-sufficient by helping them move toward career and financial goals. Over the course of 4 weeks, participants discuss in small groups ways the class material can be applied to their lives. Allies facilitate the group discussions while building relationships with the 2 to 4 male or female participants in their group. Advance Memphis provides material.. Typically, the questions do not require preparation.
● Ally commitment is one hour per week for 4 weeks. - These small groups occur on Wednesdays at 11 am and last about an hour each. The commitment after graduation is to attempt to walk in relationship with the graduates from your group for 6 months or longer. We understand that it is impossible to force meaningful friendships, and this is a messier process than we sometimes expect. However, the fruit from such a relationship is extremely rewarding. We also have some ideas on ways you can help encourage the graduates and would love to be a resource to you.
● Graduation - Please plan to attend the Work Life Graduation if you are available. Graduation will be at 10:30 am on the last Friday of the Work Life class. Graduations take place at our warehouse at 575 Suzette St.
● Post-Graduation Relationships - The hope is that through Ally Small Groups, long-term relationships will develop over time. We encourage Allies to try to stay in touch with their small groups, continuing to check in with individuals, provide encouragement, praying with and for graduates.
Required Skills and Attributes
● A Christian who believes God’s word is truth and lives it out in every area of his/her life.
● A personal commitment to God’s kingdom work specifically for the economically poor.
● A commitment to racial and socio-economic reconciliation at a personal level, and a willingness to foster a relationship that goes beyond stereotypes and challenges your own perspectives.
● A recognition of the poor as individuals made in the image of God.
● The attainment of a High School or GED diploma. If a graduate of our program, you must be currently working towards attaining the GED.
● A commitment to a local church body.
● At least 2 years of continuous work history or 6 months of continuous work history and currently employed.
● A willingness and desire to learn from relationships with participants and allow the Holy Spirit to grow you as well as the Work Life students.
Becoming a Volunteer
Advance Memphis relies heavily upon the support of volunteers. Please explore the opportunities below and help us in any way that you can. If you have any questions or to sign up, you can email volunteer coordinator Cindy Chapple at cchapple@advancememphis.org.
As a Christian, faith-based organization, we request that mentors for Work Life and Faith and Finances provide a simple statement of faith. See ours here. However, there are many volunteer roles open to individuals of any religious heritage. We are grateful for the support of volunteers of diverse faiths.