About Us

Our
Mission

To provide faith-based training and coaching for anyone who desires long-term employment.

Our
History

The WorkFaith Connection was developed in 2006 to address the challenges of unemployed men and women in Houston, who have a desire to become contributing members of society. Specific attention was focused on serving those caught in the cycle of poverty, formerly incarcerated, recovering from addiction, or transitioning out of homelessness. Based on an award-winning job skills training program called Cincinnati Works, the well-established curriculum was combined with a faith component and extensive follow-up procedures, resulting in The WorkFaith Connection. In 2007, The WorkFaith Connection launched its first "Job Readiness Workshop" as a comprehensive response to disadvantaged job seekers struggling to becoming employed in the city of Houston.

From 2007 to 2010, The WorkFaith Connection operated with one office location serving approximately 280 first time clients per year, while also serving a cumulative population of alumni as the years progressed. To meet increasing demand for the services offered, a plan for growth was developed, and in January of 2011 a second location opened, doubling the capacity of new clients served each year. A third location, was added in 2017 to expand to new regions of the city and increase capacity of clients served by 50% each year.

In 2013, The WorkFaith Connection began to offer more extensive services to the graduates of the program, such as the WorkFaith Academy supplemental classes. Employed graduates are now able to receive training in Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, Financial Coaching, and other life skills training needed to be successful in their life and job. Since inception, the staff at The WorkFaith Connection has consistently increased efforts to partner with other organizations and build long-term relationships with graduates of the program, becoming a family to them, celebrating their victories, and being supportive through their challenges.

In June 2019, we implemented a Long-term Employment Program(LTEP) to strengthen and deepen our impact in supporting transformation in our graduates.  Participating graduates commit one year to the Long-Term Employment Program. This Program creates an integrated relationship between the employer, the WorkFaith graduate, our coaching program, our church partners, and our support services. Through a one-year coaching model, enrolled WorkFaith graduates will have immediate employment options, and have access to continuing education, professional/technical skills training and certifications.  

 At the same time, our Employer Development team is building relationships with Houston businesses (Core Employers) that need labor that our graduates are eager to provide. As participating graduates commit to one year of bi-monthly coaching sessions & soft skill training, our Core Employers agree to provide vital feedback to WorkFaith concerning the employed graduate.  We believe our graduates will experience greater job stability and career advancement opportunities that will impact their earning potential, their family’s stability and improve the communities in which they live.

2006
WorkFaith founded to address challenges of unemployed men and women in Houston
2007
First "Job Readiness Workshop” launched
2007-2010
One office location served approximately 280 first-time participants per year
2011
Second office location opened, doubling capacity of new participants served each year
2013
More extensive services offered through WorkFaith Academy
2017
Third office location opened, increasing capacity of participants served by 50% each year
2019
Long-term Employment Program (LTEP) created to further support participants
2020
In response to COVID-19, WorkFaith launched fully virtual services and programs

Our Team

Image

Chelsea Cantrell

Manager of Volunteer Program
Image

Kalon Collins

Partnership Specialist
Image

Anna Diaz-Hasselbring

Director of Human Resources
Image

Daniel Fain

Chief Financial Officer
Image

Anthony Flynn

Chief Executive Officer
Image

Nate Foote

Career Coach
Image

Tiffany Gardner

Director of Development
Image

Nick Hardy

Chief Program Officer
Image

Betty Ienna

Client Engagement Coordinator
Image

Lois Jackson

Career Coach
Image

Latrina Johnson

Instructor
Image

Matt Killian

Chief Operating Officer
Image

Josmery Maldonado

Manager of Support Services
Image

Sivivian Merrick

Manager of Program Services
Image

Ron Mitchell

Accounting Administrator
Enoma Esakue

Enoma Osakue

Lead Systems Engineer
Image

Edward Powers

Media & Brand Manager
Image

Alejandra Quiroga

Bilingual Career Coach
Image

Sahar Rahimian

Systems Support Specialist
Image

Brianne Richardson

Partnership Specialist
Image

Janeka Russell

Program Coordinator
Image

Mori Sanchez

Development Coordinator
Image

Robin Scott

Director of Operations
Image

Romona Simon

Support Services Coordinator
Image

Debora Somuano

Bilingual Instructor
Image

Chaun Vaugn

Instructor
Cameron Webb

Cameron Webb

Event Coordinator
Image

Roman Zalasar

Client Support Specialist
Image

Kirsten Dupuy

Manager of Instruction

Anthony Flynn

Chief Executive Officer

Matt Killian

Chief Operating Officer

Anna Diaz

HR Manager

Freda Miller

Director of Client Services

Board Members

Kelly Boots Martin

Board Chair

Embry Canterbury

Hibernia Resources, LLC

Fred Brazelton

Platform Partners, LLC

Doug Chapman

Source Rock Resources, Inc.

Jorge Diaz

Platform Partners, LLC

Taylor Ducoff

Cadence Bank

Brent Owen

Refined Technologies, Inc.

Sharon Paul

Kentech

Chris Winton

Tesla

Wendy Millhouse

Archrock

Alexandra Nunnery

Smith Parker Elliott, PLLC

Drew Brunkhorst

Hibernia Resources, LLC

Our Founders & Past Board Members

Barbara Elliot

Founder

Sandy Schultz

Founding CEO | 2006 - 2019

Chris Carmouche

Post Oak Bank

Gary Dunkum

Former Board Member

Randall Edwards

P2 Energy Services

Kevin Garland

Mountaire Farms

Russell Ginn

Reg Aero, LLC

Kevin Howard

Kinder Morgan Gas Pipeline

John Kafka

Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing

Stan Marek

Marek Brothers, Inc.

Bob Zorich

Encap Investments