Local resource center helps community

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Just Because Resource Center in Manning works with individuals and organizations in the community as an approach to engage the two in a project to help teens. JBRC recently sponsored a summer job fair for local youth. Last week, the resource center also sponsored an interview workshop for teens. The workshop was designed to equip young people with the necessary tools to gain success at a job interview. Local youth who attended the training workshop said the instruction was helpful, and they felt more informed and confident after leaving the workshop. JBRC Owner and Director Virbria Conyers said that after the teens leave the workshop, it is up to them to use what they learned from the training to “sell themselves” to the employer. “Once they have completed the interview workshop, we will send them out to job sites to be interviewed,” said Conyers. “Those who are hired will be asked to write an essay about their work experience.  In turn, we will use the essays as a tool to encourage next year’s workshop participants.” Conyers said she believes that the earlier the youth is able to receive work ethics training the better. Conyers believes that good work ethics teach professionalism and preparedness for those just entering the job industry. JBRC caters to the whole community offering services from as young as kindergartners to the community’s elderly living independently at home but in need of help. Voluntary services are offered at the center from noon to 2 p.m. During these hours some of the activities offered are Bible study, bingo, movies and group sessions. If needed, the staff will take the elderly members to grocery shop or to doctor’s appointments. Conyers said that most of the seniors in the group do not have family that caters to their needs. David Wright volunteers his time every Tuesday at the center to spend time with teens through teen support and mentoring. “A lot of kids get lost at an early age, parents sometimes don’t have time to keep up with them due to job requirements,” said Wright. “Kids tend to go astray easily and I felt the need to contribute some time mentoring to them. It is important to me to offer parental support for children that would not normally have a support system.” Summer day camp is offered from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. There is a small fee for this service, but if parents are not able to afford the camp, JBRC asks for donations. “We never turn a child away,” Conyers said Maggy Conyers has been volunteering daily with the younger members of the facility. She helps to engage the children in prayer and oversees play periods. The facility also holds a Men’s support group, which meets at the center, the 6-7 p.m. on the second Friday of each month.  There is also a women’s support group that meets noon to 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month. “We are not funded through any grants at the moment so anything donated is appreciated, whether monetarily or food,” Conyers said. “It’s just a blessing to be needed. My hope for the future is to acquire a larger building so that we are able to reach out to the community more effectively. We can always bring up the negatives about our youth but it is up to us to replace the negatives with the positives.”