HOUSTON – Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale knew Michael Harris was a felon and hired him anyway. "Mack" said it's good business to hire graduates of The Workfaith Connection program because of the great foundation its clients receive.
"We have 93 million Americans out of work. I think that's a travesty," he said. "The job of employers like myself is to get people to work and let them experience the fact that work is life's greatest therapy and I believe work is not a right, it's an instinct."
Since 2007, the program has put thousands of people who had little hope, back to work. In 2014, $28 million in wages were earned by The Workfaith Connection graduates.
Sandy Shultz is the president and CEO of The Workfaith Connection.
"What we begin to do is help these men and women understand that as they persevere through that challenge, they also develop some skills that are very valuable to the employer, those skills of perseverance, willingness to take responsibility for their actions," she said. "That's a huge asset to the employer."
Much more about the program's success stories and how to get involved on this week's Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall.
A terminal diagnosis and stage 4 cancer is not keeping a "Forever Fighter" down.
Shannon Zureich was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in May 2010. After chemotherapy, a mastectomy and weeks of radiation, her life seemed back on track. Then the news that the cancer was back and metastasized in her spine.
She told Khambrel Marshall about her continued fight and why her terminal diagnosis is not keeping her from fighting for her life and for increased support for research and help.
"We celebrate survivors and survivorship so often but there's an invisible community there that a lot of people don't get to see,"she said. "They look at me and say you look to good to be sick. But that's not true."
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed, the executive director of Susan G. Komen Houston said the Komen Race for a Cure on Oct. 31 will be a celebration, but everyone should be very clear about its purpose.
"The purpose is so that we can raise money for research, which is the most important thing," she said. "It's great to have a mammogram, it's great to have awareness but for the most part if you don't have research, more people will die."
Interesting comments and insight from both guests on this week's Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall, airing at 10 a.m. Sunday right after "Meet the Press" on KPRC Channel 2.
More Information:
- Sandy Shultz, President/CEO The Workfaith Connection, 713-984-9611
- Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, Owner, Gallery Furniture, 713-694-5570
- Shannon Zureich, support@metavivor.org, www.metavivor.org
- Adriana Higgins, Ed.D. Executive Director, Susan G. Komen Houston, 713-783-9188