Welcome Home. Here, Us, Now.
A space for all of us seeking what's real and sacred in a world that rushes past the soul.
Welcome Home. Here, Us, Now.
Daley Miller and the Community Outreach Center
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Daley Miller also oversees Job Training at UGM-TC. We also talk about volunteers and job mentoring.
Warm Welcome And New Studio Jokes
SPEAKER_00Welcome home. Hear us now. A space for all of us seeking what's real and sacred in a world that rushes past the soul. I'm Eric Engelman, your co-host, and across the new padded studio is President and CEO Charles Wolford, my co-host. Good morning.
SPEAKER_02Good morning, Eric. So good to see you, my friend. You know, the idea that we are now having to be placed in a padded room says something about Charles and Eric. I don't know why they decided to put us in a padded room, but here we are. So it adds a whole nother dynamic to hear us now is here we are now in a padded room.
SPEAKER_00In a padded room.
SPEAKER_02Look how far we've come.
SPEAKER_00Yes, but we're not locked in.
SPEAKER_02Well, we haven't told you that part yet, Eric.
Meet Daly Miller And Her Mission
SPEAKER_00Now wait a minute. Next to me on my left here is Daly Miller. Good morning.
SPEAKER_03Good morning.
SPEAKER_02You have no idea the joy that we have with having Daly on our podcast today. I just want to do a little bit more of a brief introduction because those who are listening may not know Daly Miller very well, but we get a chance to introduce her. She is currently serving as our vice president of our community outreach center here at UGM. She came to us as a director in our economic mobility program, but has excelled and ascended to the VP role. And just a little bit more about Daly. So Daly serves on the executive board of Southwest Christian School. She works with Young Men's Service League. She's a member of the Fort Worth Rotary Club, Women's Policy Forum of Junior League, and volunteers and a lot of other experiences. How in the world do you get all this stuff done, Daly?
SPEAKER_03Listen, I don't know. I have an amazing husband. That's all I have to say.
SPEAKER_02We humbly bow to Mr. Miller. Shout out to Brother Miller, wherever you may both be, if you're listening to this podcast. She just gave you some kudos. So uh thank you so much for being here, Daly. Glad to have you.
SPEAKER_03Thank you so much for having me.
SPEAKER_02Let's just have a dialogue, particularly about the work that you're currently doing at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrane County.
SPEAKER_03Absolutely. Well, in fall of 2023, UGM opened this beautiful facility that includes warehouse, distribution center, event space, offices. It's absolutely gorgeous. And so the Lord brought me here for this purpose. I wasn't looking for this. And I met somebody and they said they're opening this amazing building. I think they're going to be doing this great work and economic mobility. And here he brought me. And so, with that, there's a lot of moving parts to this building. You have your warehouse running, you have your deliveries going back and forth. We have an amazing warehouse crew. We also have this large vocational training room, which is a large room with electrical components, internet space where lots of things can be happening. It can be a larger event space, but it can also be a workspace, right? For study, learning. And then also the beautiful Carl R. Brumley room. It's beautiful. And so it's got AV. We have many events here that have included ladies' Bible study events, we've had job fairs, we've had even the Texas sheriffs come and do a conference. And so with that, and many of our UGM events happen here as well. There's lots of moving parts, which means organization needs to happen, and with four kids, I'm pretty good at that. So wow.
SPEAKER_02That is absolutely amazing. I don't know if, Eric, if you are just exhausted as I am hearing all the things that Daly is committed to doing, but uh what an amazing uh vita and resume. Thank you, Daly, for sharing that.
SPEAKER_00After doing the conversations on the bench, I'm I'm not surprised. Somebody described uh people at UGM as people who go mock 10 with their hair on fire. That's right. That's true. Lord help us.
SPEAKER_03That's right.
SPEAKER_02So, Daly, in your role, part of what you're assigned to do is helping some of our neighbors, our unhoused neighbors, seek a career path. Can you tell us a little bit about that work and how that is actually executed at Union Gospel Mission?
Career Pathways And Certifications
SPEAKER_03Yes, so many of our neighbors come obviously in great need. Some already have work experience, some do not, some currently have jobs, some do not. Like we receive people in all kinds of shapes and forms. And when they initially come, there's a lot of trauma that they need to overcome first. So there's a space that our other places at UGM and our other programs really take care of them. And once they get to a space where they feel like, okay, I have my feet underneath me, I've handled some things that maybe caught me here, now I'm ready to look. What does my future look like? And that's where our team comes in. How can we partner with them in taking them to the next level? Because what we don't want is that after they've been healed here from trauma and other things, and we're able to get them some housing, how do they maintain that housing, right? How do they keep going forward if one thing goes wrong? That's what happens to a lot of our residents here is that they had a job, they have family, something goes wrong, or a family becomes a need, or somebody gets sick, and their job that's really not a living wage is unable to sustain those incidences, those emergencies, or even sometimes just actual cost of living with how much it's increased. So, how can we partner with them and what the case managers are doing here? And so we look at them and we ask, hey, some of you already have a career, but are any of you interested in maybe learning something new? Are you do you need your GED? Do you need your college diploma? Are you interested? Some of the many, you know, pathways that we have are a warehouse line, right? We can certify you in certified logistics associate, certified logistics technician, we've got certified production technician, all of these pathways within warehouse will get them an above-living wage and then also lead them down a path of becoming a manager and increasing their career. And then we've got TCC we partner with to help them get their degree or EMT or nursing. We have CNA schools that have partnered with us. We've got um welding that we have individuals in. We've partnered with TASE to get culinary lines going. The goal is to find out not just placing them in a job, what is your dream job? What do you want to do? We want them to go to work every day and feel like they're being fulfilled, right? They're providing for their family, they're doing what the Lord has called them to do. So, how can we pour into that? Not only providing them with the certification and education, but also how do we move the barriers that come with that, right? That's transportation, that is the way that they learn. Not everybody has the reading skills level. How can we help you with that? It's all kinds of things. And on top of not only the certifications, we're gonna provide you with some life skills, right? Because a lot of them haven't been in households that we some of us take for granted, right? I was taught you already knew how to write an email, create a Word document. They haven't had that experience. So, how do we, you know, help provide all of those ways that when they step out of here, they're able to get their dream job, but then also keep it, then be able to work with coworkers and their boss. So we provide principles at professionalism class for learning how to ask for that raise, right? Learn how to communicate.
SPEAKER_02I think I need some principles in professionalism to be quite honest, Eric. I'm I'm lacking in some areas.
SPEAKER_00Well, I know this is your dream job, but you're always trying to enlarge it.
SPEAKER_02I I I think I need to sign up for that class. I do. I think that would be another. Let's shut this down. Let's go, let's go, let's go peep into that class.
SPEAKER_00Well, before we shut it down, I've got an idea. Oh, okay. Okay, and since I'm talking to the the woman that's in charge of this building, this might work.
SPEAKER_03Oh, that's scary.
Life Skills And Professionalism Coaching
SPEAKER_00Right now we're in a studio with uh a mixer and some microphones, headphones, and that's how we're recording this. Some people have never been in that environment. I've just noticed there's a little bit of an edge that comes down for me and for others when I'm interviewing. Does your internet training environment include a podcast taste or do you need a volunteer to I mean, we might need a volunteer.
SPEAKER_03I mean, if you're gonna sign up for something, you better watch out. I'm gonna put you to work.
SPEAKER_01So Eric, you knew that answer was going to be yes, that's her profession. She will find a career path for you in the world.
SPEAKER_03I will find a job. I'll listen. My kids run and hide when I come in. They know if I see them, they're getting to work. I'm gonna find a job for you.
SPEAKER_00All right. Well, make sure your kids listen to this episode, and I'll just put a shout out there for volunteers who maybe have an idea and maybe a little bit of some kind of background in the world.
SPEAKER_03That would be amazing.
SPEAKER_00That could be amazing. Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_03That is wonderful. Well, I used to do movies.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I love the idea. Okay.
SPEAKER_03Thank you.
SPEAKER_02Let's talk a little bit more about the certifications. So you mentioned that, and we know that oftentimes many of our neighbors who are underemployed, unemployed, often have never dreamed about doing a certification. And just uh last week we had two gentlemen to go through a certification program, and you could just see the level of excitement in their eyes, and that it there was an accomplishment that they could certainly celebrate as we were celebrating with them. So tell us a little bit about these certifications. That if I come in contact with UGM, what would that look like?
Volunteer Ideas And Training Environment
SPEAKER_03Absolutely. So when they first come in, they're part of our workforce development, they're doing things around UGM, and in that they hear about what we're doing with certifications, they come find us. They get so excited, they're here just a few days and they're, oh, hey, what can we do? I want to do that. I see so-and-so doing this, I'm gonna do it too. So you've already planted seeds and they're watching it and they're already getting excited before you've even talked to them about it. And so as they come in, it's at that 30-day mark where we look at them and say, Okay, are you ready? And all of them were like, Yes. I remember when we first started, they didn't know what it was, they were a little wary, and the ones that had said yes, it's very interesting to watch, the ones who had said yes a couple weeks in, then the whole group that had said, Oh, I don't know about this, they all come running and knocking at the door, like, wait, I want let me in, let me in. And I just, you know, it's kind of like the gospel in a way, sometimes, right? You know, you sp you know, like you said, with planting the seeds, and sometimes, you know, it's accepted and sometimes it takes a minute. And so we want to respect everybody in the place that they're at.
SPEAKER_00And it sounds like they're learning by exposure and by doing and just being around, which is not what you get when you're in your own basement or on the street trying to work with a cell phone. There are some people that have never really seen a computer. I actually I should put that uh to appeal to more people, I should say there are some people who grew up with computers and thought cell phones are weird, but but we're all old. Anyway, that's right. Go ahead.
Certification Onboarding And Momentum
SPEAKER_03Yeah, absolutely. And that's part of it too, right? We've got digital skills. We're gonna teach you. If you've never seen a computer, never open one up, we're gonna teach you that too. And so they come in and they we have the initial meeting and we start going through, okay, what are you interested in, right? Let's get you through these classes first. And as you go to these classes, that really helps us see are you showing up? Are you committed? Because if we are gonna commit the funds that have been so generously donated to UGM, which major thank you to our donors and community partners, it's unbelievable how many people in Terrent County are so willing to pour into this effort because they know helping each and every single person helps the community as a whole, right? And so, with that, as they're showing up to these classes and they're learning more, they're getting more excited. And so that's the moment that we put them in their certification of choice. And as they're going through it, there are ups and downs, right? We always want to celebrate the wins and the passing of the test, but there are some points where they may feel like, oh, I can't do this. And that's why we have an amazing support team and economic mobility coaches to come in and partner with their case managers and lift them up and get them through it and let them know they get this value of worth.
SPEAKER_02That seems like that's so important that one what you just resonated with me is you can oftentimes get a person a job, but can they keep it? And having an economic mobility coach, it sounds like that is that extra lift, that boost for a person, so that you we want you to keep a job and say sustain it because you know you let's say you have a spat with someone, that doesn't mean you just leave the job and never return. But an o can economic mobility coach sounds like they come alongside them. Is that an accurate assessment of what they're doing?
SPEAKER_03It's very accurate, absolutely. And that's the point of the classes, too. We're gonna prep you for it, we're gonna get you certified, get you job placed, and with that, we've got a coach that we don't just job place them and wipe our hand and walk away, right? We walk with them through that because, like you said, that is not going to help them thrive, right? At the first conflict, then they flee, right? Fight or flight, sort of a situation. We don't want them to fight, we don't want them to flight, right? We want them to learn coping mechanisms, we want them to learn how to work well with others, and we want them to then come back and mentor, right? Yeah. Like let's let's come back and pour into others, and they want to do it. That's what's so great. You don't even have to ask. Because truly, once you pour into people, it's a natural reaction for them to go and pour into somebody else.
SPEAKER_00And that's the way God made the universe, I think. I mean, there's there's so much beauty, there's so much neat stuff the to learn how to do or to or people to do it with uh that uh you know, in the absence of of uh what death and taxes I think maybe we were made for uh for teaching each other and doing stuff together.
unknownYeah.
Donor-Funded Upskilling And Support
SPEAKER_03Absolutely, and that's what's so great about them being able to reside here on campus while they go through it. We don't lose them, right? And we can't hear back from them. We have constant communication. Wow. We know where they're at, and also while they're in the residence here, they are surrounded by individuals that are new coming in, so they're being watched the whole time. And they're being able to tell the others, hey, this is what they're doing, this is what I'm getting out of this. You want to do this too. Praise God. And so it just it it filters the whole campus and it gets us excited between departments because we have this amazing development department, right, that are constantly moving, and we're they're able to see through us, okay, we get to see the other end of it, right? This is what you guys are doing. And then we have the amazing kitchen and cook staff. And listen, when they are trying to study and they're getting snacks and they're getting fed, it fuels them. Like every piece of UGM builds up this program, builds up each individual and all the aspects they need to become successful.
SPEAKER_02If I currently, if I'm listening to this podcast and I'm I work for a company and I'm interested in getting some of UGM neighbors involved or at least considering them for employment, what should be my next step?
SPEAKER_03Listen, is this where I give my cell phone number out right now and say, call me? No.
SPEAKER_02Give your email address, I think would be. Listen, I love that you're so active and volunteer, but he loves what you do, but those four babies want some time with mommy anyway.
SPEAKER_03That's very true. I am currently hot gluing moms every evening, and it's homecoming week. So we are in the thick of it. But yes, if there is a company out here that would love to partner with us in any way, whether it's teaching, job placement, job fairs, we would absolutely, my email is dmiller at ugm-tc.org, and we would love your partnership in any way possible. Even if it's just you're willing to practice for interviews, or you have openings, or you have internships, like our individuals will be happy to work on internships while we're supporting them. This is a great time to do that. We would love it in any way, and we just continue to ask God to bring more.
Coaching To Keep Jobs And Thrive
SPEAKER_02Yeah. It's so exciting to see uh the disposition of a man or a woman who've come through the program and then who are able to get assigned to a new employment experience and they transition, they leave UGM, having gotten some biblical principles, some spiritual growth and formation, they were able to get assigned uh a skill, get a job, and then get their apartment. What what better success stories can there be? That that's just nothing with the grace of God. And we had multiple just last week who we were able to see that was their the breadcrumbs that we were able to follow and see what God had done in their lives. Well, Daly, this has been just a great opportunity and an amazing conversation. Any last words you would like to share with me and Eric with regards to what happens here at the Community Outreach Center and in your role here at UGM?
SPEAKER_03God is absolutely working here. He is doing great things, and I know even with this podcast, it will help spread the word around the city and also bring on more people to become involved and use our community outreach center. That's what it's built for. And so we want more companies, individuals, partnerships, organizations. We welcome you here. This is the Lord's house, and we're doing the Lord's work, and we just invite all.
SPEAKER_02Well, wonderful. Well, we have so enjoyed having you here, and we look forward to the next time you get a chance to chat with us.
SPEAKER_03Thank you so much for having me.
SPEAKER_00Well, this has been a good get together for the Welcome Home Hear Us Now podcast at Union Gospel Mission in Tarrant County. I'm gonna pray. Father in heaven, in Jesus' name, where it's any of my business, thank you for who you are, what you're doing here at Union Gospel Mission. Thank you for your love, joy, peace, granting us a chance to escape insanity a little bit more and to come into your presence, surrender to you, and receive more of your life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
SPEAKER_03Thank you so very much.
