As our Kids get older, Vocational Training is becoming more important!

As important as it is to providing physical care, spiritual development, and academic education; CRI also values providing vocational training opportunities. Helena Davis (Head Mentor and Vocational Training Program Director) and two Board Members have been working with our oldest Kids to create written Independent Living Plans. Each plan is designed to prepare the Young Adult so they have the best chance to care for themselves when they leave us. They choose their career and we help them obtain the vocational training that will prepare them.

If they choose a career in cosmetology, tailoring, or soap making & sales; they can enroll in one of our on-campus programs. Recently, our very own Fatu completed an off-campus cosmetology training program. She now works in our shop and we have hired her as the Instructor for our on-campus training program. She has 4 young ladies in her first class … and each is doing quite well!

4 of Fatu’s Cosmetology Students standing in our Shop

We also offer a Tailoring Program that is lead by Instructor Steve Dean. He is guiding 5 Students from last year’s class as they sew special occasion clothing and school uniforms and he recently began a 2nd class with 8 Students.

Girl’s special occasion outfits sewn this year by our Tailoring Program Students

And if there is an interest in training we do not offer; we help them enroll in an off-campus program, set them up in an apprenticeship, or provide financial assistance so then can start a business. Right now we have 1 young man attending a Heavy Equipment Driving Program … another apprenticing in a local metalworking business … and another who is operating his own printing business!

Charles modeling is new heavy clothing for his metal working apprenticeship

New booth near our Campus that now houses Vamba’s printing business

While we know that time passes quickly, we still find it difficult to believe how many of our Kids are now 18 or older! Thank you for continuing to pray for them … and for helping us as we partner with them as they prepare for independent living at age 21.