Broken Wings Ministries, Inc., is an interfaith-based organization whose goal is to help people in need reach their full potential. This mission is being accomplished through a variety of programs. The Ministry has been in existence since 1997 and was incorporated in 1999.
A Board of Directors oversees the organization and meets regularly to address budget, personnel, building maintenance, and general operations. An Executive Director coordinates all the programs and ministries, is responsible for all employees and volunteers, plans new ministries, and ensures that sound bookkeeping procedures are followed. Ms. Tricia Gillon is a volunteer who serves as office manager. The campus is located at 168 Jailhouse Road in Ackerman.
Marty Crowder, President of the Board, is quick to point out that the Ministry is dependent on the prayers and support of the local community. He said, “Broken Wings is able to help people because of volunteers and those who support our mission. We are happy that we are expanding to offer classes designed to improve work skills and educational levels as well as share the love of Jesus.”
The Ministry is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit which accepts donations to further its mission. Donations are tax deductible.
Thrift Store
One of the ways the Ministry supports itself is from the Broken Wings Thrift Store sales. This is a spacious, well-furnished store that specializes in clothing, furniture, books, electronics, and household goods.
Manager Kim Stephenson is proud of the store’s recent improvements. Volunteers have upgraded the clothes racks, dressing areas, and provided uplifting artwork for the facility. Seasonal merchandise is featured in the store as well. A new dressing room has been created which contains formal wear/wedding gowns at reasonable prices.
In addition, new LED lighting is gradually being added and central air/heating systems improved for the comfort of the shoppers. Volunteers and part-time paid personnel assist Kim and keep the Store very organized. First time visitors are amazed at the amount of goods and how neat and clean it is. People are often surprised to learn that the Store averages 70-100+ customers a day.
The Thrift Store is a vital part of the Broken Wings Ministry. Not only does it generate funds, it is an important resource to those who may not be able to travel to purchase items in other places. It provides a lower priced alternative to those who may need assistance and to those looking for a good deal. The Store has such quality merchandise shoppers from surrounding counties visit frequently.
The Thrift Store also provides help to families or individuals who have emergency need. In the case of a house fire, clothes and other items are given to those affected. Homeless individuals or others in dire situations can also receive help through the BW Thrift Store.
Donations from the community are gladly accepted and keep the Ministry thriving. The Thrift Store hours are Tuesday – Friday from 8:00-4:00 and Saturday from 8:00 – Noon.
Christian Women’s Job Corps
CWJC is a free educational program and ministry. The purpose of CWJC is to strengthen women within a Christian setting to become better equipped for life and employment, and provide mission opportunities for women to help women.
The classes are designed to meet the individual needs of each participant. The CWJC classes include Bible study, job skill instruction, computer skills, money management, relationship training, and mentor support. Two volunteers, Ms. Pam Simpson and Ms. Charlotte Wade, coordinate this program.
“It’s a joy to help these CWJC ladies realize that they have real potential and can improve their lives,” Simpson said. “We welcome them in without judging and provide the resources they need to improve their lives. When they leave this program, they have hope for a brighter future.”
Another aspect of this ministry is that each CWJC participant is paired with a mentor who is an advocate, confidant, and encourager. Mentors are also volunteers. CWJC will welcome a new class on March 22.
Adult Education Classes
Broken Wings partners with Holmes Community College Workforce Development to conduct free adult education classes. These classes include: GED, Smart Start, and NCRC (WorkKeys). Ms. Tricia Gillon is the instructor for these new programs that have been in place since January, 2017.
There are 20 students enrolled the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) class. Students receive incentives from Holmes to complete sections of the GED. Broken Wings recognized that GED was not being offered locally and was needed in order to help improve lives. Classes were originally started through CWJC in 2015 and have continued with Holmes support.
“This program is excellent,” Gillon reported. “The students work at their own pace and are responsible for attending and doing the coursework. As facilitator, I organize the instruction/testing and reassure the students that they can reach this goal.”
Five students have passed all sections of the GED and three have passed portions and continue to study for the rest of the sections. As a GED site, BW provides the computer lab and facility. GED classes meet on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Smart Start covers job skills such as interviewing, customer service, telephone etiquette, resumes, and teamwork. Students learn these skills and how important they are to getting and keeping a job. Various speakers come to the class to share information and role play real life situations.
The Career Readiness Certificate program is a national program based on the WorkKeys job skills assessment system.
Individual jobs across the country were profiled by ACT, Inc. to determine that there are three basic skills that are highly important to most jobs: Reading for Information, Applied Math, and Locating Information. An individual’s score on the three assessment areas qualify them for either a Gold, Silver, or Bronze certificate. The certificate validates that an individual possesses certain essential skills that are important across a range of jobs and, therefore, employers, job seekers, economic developers, and educators can use the certificate as a common language to improve the quality of the workforce.
Employers and education entities nationwide recognize the CRC program, and assessment results and certificates can help individuals find job opportunities wherever they live. Obtaining a CRC in their chosen field is an additional indicator that the individual possesses the basic skills needed to successfully complete the chosen training. Seven students have received their CRC.
Welding Classes
A three-tiered program that develops work and life skills as well as incorporates Bible study was begun in 2017. This program is in partnership with Holmes Community College Workforce Development and Choctaw County Career and Technology Center.
Volunteer Jason Stewart who oversees the students’ progress, plans speakers for the life skill portion, and leads the Bible study manages this ministry. A welding instructor, Alan Whittington, provides hands-on training at CCCTC campus using welding machines donated by Holmes. The current class has three young men who have worked hard to complete the requirements of the program. Following completion of their training, local companies have agreed to interview the students.
“Students are taught important work skills with a goal of employment,” Stewart said. “These young men also learn that this community cares about them and wants them to succeed. The Bible study portion of the program supplements the importance of the life skills and hopefully strengthens character.”
Future plans for this program include adding other skills such as carpentry, electrical, and plumbing.
Christmas Drive
Broken Wings also coordinates a Christmas Assistance Drive each year. In 2017, families receiving assistance were involved in a process to establish need. Gifts included clothing, household goods, and toys on the wish lists provided by the families. One adult and fifteen children were helped. Groups either donated funding or chose to shop for the families themselves. Many organizations and businesses assisted in this outreach ministry. Broken Wings was happy to organize this program.
Emergency Assistance Program
Broken Wings Ministries, Inc., Emergency Assistance Program is used to assist individuals and families in meeting a financial crisis when they are without available resources. The Program is designed to provide short-term emergency financial assistance with which eligible individuals and families may obtain certain items or services needed to eliminate an emergency or crisis.
The Ministry may provide emergency assistance for electricity, gas for home, gasoline, and water. Occasionally a hot meal for a transient individual is provided. In some instances, gasoline money or motel stay may be needed in order to assist someone. Choctaw County Sheriff’s/Ackerman Police office normally contacts Broken Wings in situations concerning transient individuals. Assistance during disasters or emergency situations is also provided when necessary. Broken Wings does not provide assistance for rent/mortgage, cable, phone, deposits, or insurance. The same person cannot receive emergency assistance more than once during a 12 month period, unless extenuating circumstances present.
Applications are completed and reviewed. Broken Wings has developed written specific guidelines to determine if assistance can be provided. If not, the person is given contact information for other agencies/organizations. Financial counseling is also offered to individuals, if possible.
Broken Wings Ministries is so pleased to be growing to help meet needs in our community. The programs have been designed to give people a hand up so that lives are improved.
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles… Isaiah 40:31”
