Our faith-based Work-Readiness Program provides customized training for women seeking a fresh start
Women are invited to apply or may be referred into the Program from other community non-profits, churches, social groups, or the community at large.
We believe change happens right where you are.
The Program is a community partnership with Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) with Heartisans facilitating the ACT Work Keys prep and testing. In addition to providing core tenants of work-readiness training and essential skills (soft skills) that bring value to future employers, the purpose behind our program is to truly know the heart and story of each woman so we can serve her in a way that meets her specific needs, right where she is.
We are here to create lasting relationships.
The Heartisans' Work-Readiness Program is designed to cultivate change in women, increasing their essential skills, education, and employment so they become empowered to support their families by their own means without the assistance of systems and services. Our desire is to walk with these women beyond the 8-10 week program by being a source of guidance as they meet challenges in the future. Many women return to Heartisans for ongoing mentorship, aftercare classes, resume tweaking, and prayer.
Program FAQs
The Heartisans Work-Readiness Program lasts 8-10 weeks and meets Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm.
To qualify for the Program, you must be a woman living in the local East Texas community or immediate surrounding area, be able to commit to the full 8-10 week program period (Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm – childcare and/or bus pass for transportation can be arranged), have a High School diploma or GED, and be drug free and able to pass a random drug screening.
Interested women can fill out the application on our website under the Program page or they can come in person to Heartisans (3501 Gilmer Road, Longview, TX 75604). There is also a referral form that should be completed by the referring agency or person. Applicants must have a GED or High School Diploma and be able to pass a drug test. Questions? Email the Program Director, Kendrah Tennison, kendrah@heartisans.org
Yes! You do not have to be referred to Heartisans to apply for the Program. To apply, complete the application on our website under the Program page or apply in person at Heartisans (3501 Gilmer Road, Longview, TX 75604). Applicants must have a GED or High School Diploma and be able to pass a drug test. Questions? Email the Program Director, Kendrah Tennison, kendrah@heartisans.org
Many of our women attend higher education and complete an Associate's Degree. We have women working in a wide variety of industries such as: hotel management, county streets department, cosmetology, dental assisting, licensed chemical dependency counseling, nurse aide, teacher's assistant, culinary arts, business, escrow clerk, nonprofit agencies, telecommunications, and much more!
As of 2023 we've celebrated 214 graduates from the Heartisans Program.
We appreciate community support in many different ways. Feel free to do any of the following:
• Pray for our Participants during their journey
• We provide breakfast and lunch daily to our program participants. Donations of meals and/or gift cards to restaurants or Walmart are appreciated.
• We take Program Participants shopping for a new interview outfit so they look and feel professional for their interview. Gift cards to Kohl's, Lane Bryant, JCPenney, and Famous Footwear help us to meet these needs.
Contact the Program Director, Kendrah Tennison, if you'd like to donate any items mentioned above or have another type of donation. kendrah@heartisans.org
Thank you for thinking about supporting our Program. Your donation to Heartisans would help provide:
• Two meals per day to program participants
• Transportation to and from appointments and interviews
• Uniforms/Clothing/Tools for school and work
• School supplies
• Medical care
• Classroom supplies
• Transition to independent housing
To see all of the ways you can donate to Heartisans' mission, visit our Donate page or contact our Operations Manager, Suzanne Flahie, suzanne@heartisans.org
• Weekly Bible Studies and daily devotionals
• Creating an effective and professional resume
- Essential workplace skills: time management, teamwork, communication, employer expectations, emotional intelligence, computer literacy
• Mock Interviews with various local HR representatives
• Makeup and etiquette training for the workplace
• Dress for success (appropriate interview and work attire)
• Budgeting class
• Healthy eating/cooking class
• Banking 101
• Biblically-based counseling
• Assistance in applying to college and FAFSA
• Assistance with job applications and networking
• Studio rotation
CommunityFuse website contains other resources in our community that may be useful.
Statement of Faith
We believe in the Trinity, God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the Bible as the Word of God. Salvation comes through grace by believing in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, our Savior and Lord. Once saved, the Holy Spirit indwells, thereby instructing, guiding, and empowering the individual to follow the mandate of Jesus Christ in daily living.
Mentor Opportunities
Mentors volunteer on the same day every week, typically for 8-10 weeks at a time. These godly women enjoy breakfast with our program participants, participate in the morning devotional (and occasionally lead it), encourage our women through prayer and support, assist them on the computers as needed, and provide transportation to and from appointments from time to time.
Journey Stories
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Program Leadership
Kendrah Tennison
Program Director
Kendrah is a proud native of Longview. She worked as a bookkeeper for an oil and gas investment group before having the opportunity to stay at home with her young children. She spent over a decade volunteering at church and with various non profits through her work with the Junior League of Longview, where she served as President in 2021. She was a mentor for the Aspire Mentoring Program for a number of years and later came on staff as the Mentor Engagement Coordinator.
Kendrah came to Heartisans while working on a grant allocation for the Junior League of Longview in 2014. While presenting the award paperwork to Julee, she fell in love with the mission and never left. She has served as a volunteer, Board Member, and Board President. In 2021 she came on staff as the Alumni Resource Coordinator to focus attention on our growing group of graduates and prepare for the development of our transitional housing project, Heartisans Village. In January 2023, Kendrah transitioned to Program Director.
Kendrah and her husband Brad have two daughters, Olivia and Aubrey, who are proud Hallsville Bobcats. They currently attend Woodland Hills Baptist Church.
Evie Henson
Workforce Development
Community Connections
Evie is a proud East Texan, residing in Longview for over 25 years. She has worked in workforce development for 20+ years. Evie enjoys educating, engaging and encouraging people to continue improving their skills to be better team players/employees for our East Texas businesses and organizations. Evie has assisted in developing employees and the workforce statewide in her career. She loves connecting with people personally and professionally and connecting people as well.
Evie started as a mentor at Heartisans facilitating marketable skills training, resume building, job matching and conducting practice interviews. She joined the Heatisans team shortly after.
As Workforce Development Director, Evie assists in preparing Heartisans' program participants for the workforce, from emotional intelligence to computer skills and everything in between! The Work Readiness Program's goal is to train every woman to be professionally, personally and emotionally ready to enter the workforce. In her Community Relations role, Evie educates, engages and encourages our community members to serve alongside the many partners Heartisans has in the community. This is accomplished by scheduling meetings, presentations, conducting Heartisans tours and soft skills training.
Evie and her husband Scott have three girls, Taylor, Grace and Kenzie, and a son-in-law, Corben. They currently attend Grace Creek Church.
Jennelle Kucharski
Program Assistant
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Jennelle has temporarily landed in Longview. In 2020, Jennelle found Heartisans through her studies at LeTourneau University and has volunteered as a hand-letter/calligraphy artist as well as in the retail store.
Jennelle has worked for eight years facilitating a daycare classroom, worked as a Youth Development Specialist at a Tarrant County Boys & Girls Club, and as a Registered Behavior Technician administering Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which led her to her past role as a peer mentor for students diagnosed with ASD on LeTourneau's campus. Now, as she completes her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she serves in the campus library as a Research and Instruction Assistant supervisor alongside her role here at Heartisans as Program Assistant.
Jennelle and her fiance, Isaac, are planning a wedding for October 2024.
Heather Bane
MA, LPC-Associate
Heather Bane serves as the counselor for the women in the Heartisans Work Readiness Program . Counseling opportunities include individual and group sessions. Heather has a passion for assisting clients from all backgrounds. Heartisans holds a special place in her heart because of the mission of the program and the courage and resilience of the women with whom she has worked within the program. Every client is an individual, and each one is viewed as unique in their strengths and goals. Heather practices counseling from the perspective of a Christian worldview, and utilizes various theoretical orientations, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Heather learns something from every client, and considers it a privilege to hear and understand a person’s story, and to work collaboratively with them toward well-being in every realm.
Heather attained a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from LeTourneau University and licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of Texas.
CareerFitter Partnership
Heartisans is happy to partner with CareerFitter as a trusted resource for their career assessment test.
Learn more about their career test.