Our first attempt to receive more funding through secular and educational grants and foundations was Project Journey. It was developed as a co-operative effort of over 30 local businesses, colleges, and organizations to seek funding for educational and entrepreneurial programs that would ultimately help to alter the destinies of the children within our realm of service.

As a part of this project, we have developed entrepreneurial programs that have included making and selling lanyards, magnets, bookmarks and prayer beads. The garage was transformed into a workshop for these projects.

Since the start of this first collaborative project, we have realized that many of these children need more LIFE Skills to move forward into independence when they finish high school. Life is a journey that encompasses so many avenues and our goal is not only to guide and direct the paths available to our children, but also their parents and family members. A large percentage of our families do not have transportation or computer access at home. Many are not able to find jobs above minimum wage. We have found these areas to be so crucial to help them move forward. Our goal with our new JOURNEY Project is a much broader base of education for all – including social skills such as manners and phone etiquette, Financial literacy, computer skills training… job skills training, resume writing and interviewing, health and fitness, and a new entrepreneurial program that allows the child who works to earn a portion of the proceeds when their product sells.

 

Life is a Journey in every way.  All of us need direction for wisdom and understanding in so many areas of that Journey, especially children. Providing guidance empowers people to independent, purposeful lives.

 

GOAL:
The Journey Project is an Educational Program of the Weirton Christian Center.  The goal is to provide information, life skills instruction, learning opportunities and training for children, teens and young adults as well as parents...to help them through the journey of life.

 

Programs:
Health and Fitness Journey (Healthy food choices, Hygiene, Park activities, Fitness Goals)
Nutrition Journey  (Food Pyramid, cooking, Blessing Bags)
Journey through Literacy  
Summer program:  Summer Reading Program
Lexia Core 5
The Good Choice Journey : Character programs, 4-H, ASAP, RAZE, Anti-Drug and Bullying programs
Service Journey: Visiting at the Weirton Geriatric Center, Park cleanup, local charity walks, Volunteering for events, fundraising

 

For teens, young adults and parents:
Financial Journey  (First Choice America Credit Union)
Journey to Job Skills (WV Works, Workforce, First Choice, Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce)
Journey to Independence  (Family Resource Network, Youth Services )

 

For young adults and parents:
Journey of Parenting  (WVCAN – FRN - PAT)

 

Partners and Resources:

ASAP Drug Coalition / Comcast Cable
Brooke County Board of Education
Brooke Hancock RSVP
Afterschool Program Adventure Program
Brooke and Hancock County Health Departments
Department of Health and Human Resources

Department of Rehabilitation
Dunbar Recreation Center
Family Resource Center
Family Resource Network
First Choice America Credit Union
Franciscan University

Goodwill Industries
Hancock County Board of Education
Hancock Savings Bank
Hancock County Sheriff’s Department
Never Alone
Mary H. Weir Public Library
Parents As Teachers
Salvation Army
Weaver Media Group
Weirton Geriatric Center 
Weirton Chamber of Commerce
Weirton Police Dept/K-9/ Sheriff’s Dept
Wellspring Counseling
West Liberty State College (interns)
WVU Extension Office (programs and 4-H)
WV Parent Training and Information