Carl Huff, 43, used to abuse drugs and alcohol and had run-ins with the law.

Now he reads his Bible, seeks God’s will for his life and has become a flower specialist as part of Texas State Technical College’s groundskeeping crew.

He credits much of his change to Christian Men’s Job Corps of Waco, a new organization that combines Bible study, mentoring and job training to make a difference in the lives of troubled men.

Carl Huff battled drugs and alcohol, but he landed a job in the landscaping department at Texas State Technical College-Waco with help from the Christian Men’s Job Corps.
Duane A. Laverty/Waco Tribune-Herald

It does business at 1207 Columbus Ave., in a building provided by Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. But it is not a ministry of the church. It is a helping hand from the community.

“There is no telling how many lives can be changed,” executive director Milt Anglin said.

About a year ago, Anglin said, he felt compelled to pursue a local chapter of the national Christian Men’s Job Corps program.

He attended training offered through the Women’s Missionary Union, which is a Baptist organization.

Tough beginning

He and volunteers restored the 3,000-square-foot space, a gift from the church; began rounding up clothing for needy men to wear to job interviews; and started their first class Jan. 19 with 10 students.

Five quit before the 10-week session ended, but other social service organizations told Anglin not to get discouraged.

Anglin, the job corps’ only paid staffer, hopes to hold four 10-week classes this year.

“We started with a budget of zero, so I became a good scrounger,” said Anglin, who filled the place with donated furniture and office equipment. Goodwill Computer Works sold the job corps 12 computers for $2,700.

A six-member board oversees operations, and Waco businessman Cleveland Witt serves as president.

Witt said the job corps recruits men ages 20 to 50 from drug-and-alcohol halfway houses, jails and unemployment support organizations. Local churches also make referrals. The men pay nothing for the services.

“Sometimes a mother will just drag her son in and say, ‘You’re going to take this class,’ ” Anglin said.

Karl Smith, 26, originally from California, has spent time behind bars in Texas and remains on parole. A friend told him about the Christian Women’s Job Corps and what it did for her. Smith enrolled in Waco’s version for men.

“God blessed me to make parole and attend this program. As soon as I got out of prison, a spot opened up for me,” Smith said. “It’s a good place to get established, get your feet on solid ground and pointed in the right direction.”

Smith said he learned life skills that improved his self-image and his ability to do well in interviews.

“I’m a better man in and out of the job site,” said Smith, who landed a job with Central Forwarding in Waco.

Class members meet three times a week for 10 weeks. Local restaurants provide a meal from 6-6:30 p.m., then the men attend class until 10 p.m.

Tuesday evenings find them studying the Bible and taking part in a Jobs for Life curriculum that includes a workbook.

On Wednesdays, they take computer classes and again hit the workbooks. Thursday evenings bring more computer time and interaction with community leaders called “champions.”

“Our role, really, is to be supportive almost on a one-on-one basis,” said champion John Hawes, chief financial officer of the Waco-based Brazos River Authority.

He said the men gather in large groups with champions to discuss what they’re learning, then meet individually to discuss issues in their lives.

“It’s a cliche, but it’s true: Nobody cares what you know until they know you care,” Hawes said.

He said the men get practical advice from guest speakers on getting and keeping jobs, but the course also has a spiritual component that deals with character, integrity and ethics.

“We can be a resource, but they are the ones who have to walk through that door,” said Dan Pleitz, a local attorney. “This can be a life-changer if they will just use what they take from it.”

Larry Johnson, 41, said he had a chronic problem with keeping jobs. He’s attending the current job corps class and has noticed a change in his attitude. He said his wife became a “beautiful person” while attending the Christian Women’s Job Corps program, and he wanted to follow in her footsteps.

The job corps wouldn’t work without volunteers and generous benefactors of all faiths.

“God provides,” Witt said. “Every time there is a bill to pay, here comes the money.”

He said the group has promises of more support once it achieves nonprofit status, which it is pursuing.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

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