On Saturday, December 14, the Hickman Mills Community Empowerment Center (HMCEC) hosted the fifth annual Because We Care Holiday Giveaway which provided gifts for over 300 individuals and families in need this season.
Kenneth Bradford was grateful to be there for his first time attending. He said, “This is good information to help find jobs. It’s priceless to see the smiles on faces of people giving gifts. It’s hard out here right now.”
This year, the HMCEC added a new portion to the event which included hosting companies looking to hire, Great Jobs KC presenting free job training, and a resume and interview workshop.
“The story is [to help people] be in a position to turn their life around and get a career. From the police department to barbering to forklift training to dog grooming, people can start a career,” said Reverend Dennis Lester, Senior Pastor of Bethel Family Worship Center, speaking to his hopes for people who participated in the event.
The event started with vocational information presented by a variety of different organizations and employers in the Kansas City metro area, including Courageous Home Care, Mantis Pest Solutions, KCPD, and Pawsperity. Each company and organization had a table with staff who could answer questions and help those interested get connected with employment opportunities.
“That’s why we do these things. We want people’s lives to change and to break the cycle,” said Jenelle Lester, First Lady of Bethel Family Worship Center.
As individuals waited for their turn to choose gifts for their families, they were able to talk to representatives and staff members of the various companies and organizations to hopefully find new or better employment and support themselves and their families.
“[This event] is literally a bridge mechanism and a way for them to feel loved. Every gift donated by a member of the community is a symbol of their love,” said Reverend Lester.
Lester mentioned that the mission of the HMCEC is to break the cycle of poverty, which inspired the expansion to include vocational information and opportunities to the event this year. The HMCEC works collaboratively with a variety of other community organizations and churches to accomplish what they do including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hickman Mills Community Alliance, and Bethel Family Worship Center.
Discover more from Martin City Telegraph
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.