Dennis Rigdon

Rigdon told her about a new faith-based mentoring program aimed at helping people on welfare make the transition to work.

"At the time I didn't realize what I was getting into," Garcia said.

Ralina Glenn had a part-time job with low pay, was pregnant and living with her parents last October when she contacted the Missouri Mentoring Partnership, another welfare-to-work program."I wanted to see if they could help me find another job," she said.

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When Garcia went to Rigdon, she was driving a car with a damaged frame.She was putting a new set of front tires on the car almost once a month."The tires were $100 for two of them.I did this for three months," Garcia said."It got to the point where I got tired of it."

Rigdon pointed to another vehicle parked at Project Hope and said: "Would you like to have that car right there?"she recalled.

Helping people solve the transportation problems that make working more difficult is one of Project Hope's priorities.The vehicles have been donated to Project Hope.People in the program also can get help with mechanical repairs.

Garcia's husband, Tony, is back home now and working at a service station.He served time for driving while intoxicated and without a license.
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Soon, Rigdon was delivering a kitchen table to her home and talking to her about Project Hope.

'They keep you going'