“Putting the Body to work to keep the Body working”
This Michigan registered, IRS 501(c)(3) status non-profit corporation is an innovative ministry to empower churches and other organizations to reach out and assist both faith-community and community members who have lost their jobs and/or need to make a career change.
Through EaRN, organization can find an affordable training and supportive consulting service to instill and grow a ministry to those in transition between jobs, those needing to change careers, and help youth and adults rediscover the truth that ‘vocation-comes-before-career.’
Organizations who become EaRN Affiliates have a variety of services available to their faith community members and neighbors to whom the Affiliate is ministering: ministry training, job clubs, career and work search materials, consulting, career and work search coaching, and more. The cost is very affordable, even to small churches and organizations.
Interested organizations should contact Ken Soper [kensoper@yahoo.com, or call (616) 698-3125] to learn more about this initiative that is helping people make the transition to find work and stay employable in a changing economy.
Individuals interested in assistance available presently will find the following Midwest churches actively involved in helping people find work and stay employable. EaRN will be available in other areas of the U.S. and Canada in the near future; interested organizations are encouraged to contact us about availability.
EaRN is currently raising funds to grow this ministry, encouraged by a $30,000 challenge grant from a West Michigan organization that is matching dollar-for-dollar funds raised through the end of September 2010. Those wishing to contribute to can do so online (http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/30-0539576/earn-employment-resource-network.aspx), or by mailing checks made out to “EaRN” to our P. O. Box 888891, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49588-8891.
Current EaRN Affiliate Churches:
- BLYTHEFIELD HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH, Rockford, Michigan
http://www.bhbconline.org/
- CALVARY (nondenominational) CHURCH, Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://www.calvary-church.net/m_familylife.htm
- CROSSROADS BIBLE CHURCH, Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://crossroads-bible.org
- CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH, Holland, Michigan
http://calvaryb.org/
- BEVERLY REFORMED CHURCH, Wyoming, Michigan
http://www.beverlyreformedchurch.org
- TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://www.tlcgr.org/
- ST ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER PARISH, Ada, Michigan
http://www.strobertchurch.org/
- CALVARY MEMORIAL CHURCH, Oak Park, Illinois
http://www.calvarymemorial.com/
EaRN is building on another initiative begun by Hope Network originally funded by a multi-year grant from the US Department of Labor’s Center for Faith and Community-Based Initiatives, the HopeWorks Project. It linked the Michigan Works! resources and the faith-based organizations to provide access to online job search assistance and career development services to individuals within their communities. HopeWorks performed a unique service by connecting technology, grass roots organizations and persons looking for jobs or employment skills. EaRN took on the ownership and maintenance of the Project’s website in 2004, www.hopeworksmich.net. The website will undergo a major reconstruction in mid-2010.
EaRN Board of Directors: Jim Angell, CPA (Board Treasurer), Frank Bettig (VP), Ed Dahlquist, Bruce Hakim (President/Board Chair), Randall Hekman, JD (Board Vicechair), Janis Petrini, Mike Slaughter, Ken Soper, MDiv (VP/Board Secretary), Dave Sorenson, and Chet Trybus.