The love of God is bigger than all our hurts and meets all our needs. That’s why staff at the Mission work together with the community to show homeless neighbors that love is bigger than homelessness. Aside from meals and daily shelter at the Mission, there are services and programs available to help people get back to work and start new lives.Psalm 128:2 says, "You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours." Because of this, we know that work is an important part of life.

This February, the Mission teamed up with Pikes Peak Workforce to help men in our New Life Program. Through a three-day work conference, they learned important work skills.The most desirable traits employers look for when keeping employees are "soft skills." These include attitude, attendance, appearance, ambition, accountability, acceptance, and appreciation. The class Pikes Peak Workforce Center taught was "Bring Your ‘A’ Game to Work," focusing on teaching these soft skills.About 30 men in the New Life Program were at the work training. Learning these skills helps them find work after they graduate the 12-month addiction recovery program.Charles enrolled in the New Life Program several months ago. He was so moved by the training he received that he wanted to share his thoughts about the work skills he gained.

“Today, we were given the opportunity to attend a seminar on leadership,” Charles wrote. “In my opinion, it's probably the least understood yet necessary skill that we need instruction on.”“I also believe that respecting others is of paramount importance,” Charles wrote. “That is something everyone wants, but no one wants to give."For Charles, this is just one way he believes we can live out Jesus’ command to, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).Charles discovered to listen to others without judgment, learning that leadership requires integrity. The most encouraging part of the day for Charles was how he plans to use what he learned."I believe that I gathered a few valuable insights today," Charles wrote. "Now I have to research them and find ways to implement them in my life. More importantly, I need to apply and implement them in my walk with Christ.”After completing the class, students can apply for a recommendation letter from the center. A Pikes Peak Workforce Center representative said a letter lets future employers know they can to do well in any work environment.

Through Christian counseling and work training, men like Charles learn new skills and renew their purpose in life.February's work training class was just one example of how our community is showing Love Bigger than unemployment.Subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook for more stories about how you can help Love Bigger than homelessness, poverty and addiction.