Begin your new story today, you have the strength to change your story!
"Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World" Workshops. Workshops begin in January and September each year. Apply NOW!
Now taking Applications
What is “Getting Ahead”?
- "Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting'-By World" is more than a book; it is a catalyst for personal transformation and systemic change. By focusing on the strengths and potential of individuals while acknowledging the structural barriers they face, it offers a compassionate yet empowering approach to addressing poverty and fostering economic mobility.
- 17 weeks-2 1/2 hour workshop
- meal
- grocery or gas vouchers
- graduation
~just think....
What might you discover for yourself if you take this workshop?
· what you are doing right
· what you might change to build a better life
· how to set goals and succeed
· how to make your own plan to hang onto your money
· How to have a better income
· how people with different incomes look at and deal with the world
· what happens as you begin making changes in how you live and make decisions
· what strengths you have that can help you build a better life
· what help the community offers to you and much more…
The program is designed to inspire hope and independency, in individuals who feel trapped by their circumstances. It equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to "get ahead" rather than just "get by." Furthermore, it fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, as participants often work in groups to support and encourage one another.
Money Matters 101
This course is designed to help you lay the groundwork for your financial wellness.
Graduates of Getting Ahead, this is a great class to take to "Stay Ahead". Getting your financial house in order is no joke and every single one of us has different goals, needs, histories and situations. Money Matters 101 isn’t designed to teach you everything there is to know, but to entice you to focus on the fundamentals:
Course Overview
No matter where you are, managing your money can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. Becoming familiar with basic financial concepts can help you make smart decisions about your money and bring you peace of mind.
This 8 week workshop is designed to walk you through the most important aspects of your finances and give you the confidence to take control of your money. You’ll learn about how to plan and save and long-term goals, how to avoid pitfalls when taking on debt, how to harness the power of investing, and more.
If you’re ready to sharpen your money skills, sign up!
Susan
OK this is it. I’ve rewritten this note 1000 times and not a single word, no sentence, and not even a paragraph, can say just how thankful I am and how much I’ve been blessed by you all and the Getting Ahead program. Covid to me was a good thing. It caused our class to extend much longer than ever before and that meant I had much more time with my classmates. Thank you God! Getting Ahead Class is just that, a way to open our eyes and take paths that are right in front of us. We’ve got new knowledge now and have been taught the tools and given the support to find that path forward. For years I couldn’t move forward. I was stuck in my life, needed help desperately… God blessed me with you all… Thank you, thank you, thank you!
So my new path is being followed and with new confidence and know how. Watch out world here I go!
I can’t end this note without saying that the friendships I have found have also truly been a lifesaving blessing… With all my heart and all my tears I love you, Susan
Khristal
I'm 47 years old. Mother of 5 boys and grandmother. I remarried in 2018. My first husband was killed by our home burning in 2002.
When I was introduced to the “Getting Ahead” program, I had lost hope that my life would be much better. I was taking depression and anxiety medication just to cope with unresolved trauma and pain from my then current situation. I was overloaded with debt, hopeless in career and community standing, and ashamed of myself and my life. I would cry a lot! I opted out of extracurricular activities to save myself from feelings of humiliation and rejection. I had very low self-esteem.
After completing the program, I can only show what the difference in my life, better than I can put it in words! I am genuinely happy from the inside out. I am now completely medication free for the past 3 months.
I have significantly reduced my debt. Paid off several loans and 2 vehicles. I am currently paying on or have on my list, to pay off all debts, and to be debt free except for my house mortgage by the end of 2023.
I have been very invested since GA, in a self-care routine and regular visits to health care, vision and dental, which was previously neglected even though I had great health insurance, unlike most.
I actively searched for career choices that I would look forward to going to on a daily basis and actually love what I do. Because GA made me realize I possess that power! I am gainfully employed and I absolutely love all of my current positions of career choices. I am overall a healthier and happier person in all aspects of my life (11 resources investigated during the course). I have decided to continue at this pace because I was given the opportunity to facilitate the class and I keep getting great results every time I go through the class. I am looking forward to starting a “Staying Ahead” group for all graduates, inspired by a life coaching course I am enrolled in. This course is giving me the confidence to do that. This will help continue to better our lives as we encourage each other to work hard for our best lives that we truly deserve and to be the inspiration to others on their way to success in claiming the life of their dreams.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have received to get my life back on track, reintroduce myself back into society, and to be able to be used to influence positive changes at a radical spectrum in my own community. What other better opportunity can we be given than to solve or own community problems and be able to invest or start businesses here? This means so much to myself and previous graduates. Some are small business owners now in the very place they struggled before. This shows what the program can do. Believe you can, and you will. That's powerful!
Khristal
Randy
I was homeless, lost, barefoot, cold, several mental and physical problems, in and out of hospitals, jails, and institutions, addicted to drugs both street and prescription, split from family and society. But by the grace of the Living God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and their tender mercies I have been redeemed and set free. I am so thankful for the work and Word of God through Christ Jesus in whom which we have been saved. Glory to God Most High. Hallelujah!
I thank God our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ for the Getting Ahead Class, Chandler First Christian Church and all those within the body of Christ Jesus. Oh, how thankful I am. All I had was the cloths on my back, no food, and nothing to drink. And I believe the Lord led me to the First Christian Church and The Lincoln County Getting Ahead. Those connections got me set up with a roof over my head, water to bathe with and to drink, food to eat, a job to work at, and a wonderful family in the body of Christ at Stroud First Assembly of God where I enjoy worship and fellowship of the Living God in our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Praise God and all Glory to God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
If the Lord wills I will be going to OSU/OKC to study to become a Peer Recovery Support Specialist and after than that, a Faith based Christian counselor. I hope to do any work the Lord wills me to do in his ministry. Psalms Chapter 23 verse 1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” I love the Lord thy God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind. John 14:16 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
I thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and God our Father for every good and perfect gift that he sends us.
May the God of Peace bless you all richly in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Yours truly, Randy
WANT TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT GETTING AHEAD WORKSHOP?
Sign up at the top of the page for our upcoming class.
Volunteer to Prepare a meal on workshop night- as an individual or as a business
This sign-up is to secure volunteers to prepare food and serve the group of about 10-15 (participants and their children) at each class. Food can be prepared and brought to the facility, or can be prepared in the First Christian Church Kitchen. Dinner service begins at 5:30pm.
Your volunteering is very much appreciated, thank you!
Volunteer to Work with children
This sign-up is to secure volunteers to work with our children whose parents are taking the class. This can be child care or tutoring.
Sign up and we will give you a call and share all the details to see if it is a good fit for you!