Our Program
Our faith-based Job-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 job-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' Job 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 Job-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, Amy Hollins, amy@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, Amy Hollins, amy@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 2021 we've celebrated 95 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, Amy Hollins, if you'd like to donate any items mentioned above or have another type of donation. amy@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
• Mock Interviews with various local HR representatives
• Makeup and etiquette training for work
• Dress for success (appropriate interview attire)
• Budgeting class
• Healthy eating/cooking class
• Bible art journaling
• Banking 101
• Biblical based counseling provided by LeTourneau University
• Assistance in applying to college and the FAFSA
• Assistance with job applications and networking
• Studio rotation (2 rotations per studio)
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 6-8 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.
*Mentor opportunities currently full.
Journey Stories
View all
Program Leadership
Amy Hollins
Program Director
Amy was born and raised in Indiana. After high school she attended college at Indiana University where she received a B.S. in Public Affairs. Upon graduation and being tired of the snow and cold weather, Amy relocated to Longview, Texas after securing a position with the City of Longview. While working for the city, Amy completed her Masters Degree in Public Administration at UT Tyler. After seven years with the City of Longview, Amy went into the private sector and worked there for the next ten years.
Amy began as a mentor at Heartisans Marketplace in April 2018 and, having found a deep love for Heartisans' mission, she began working full-time in July as the Program Director. Amy and her husband Anthony have two kids, Breana and Braylen, and one very sweet granddaughter, Adilay. They currently attend Longview Missionary Baptist Church.
Kendrah Tennison
Alumni Resource Coordinator
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. Kendrah and her husband Brad have two daughters,Olivia and Aubrey, who are proud Hallsville Bobcats. They currently attend Woodland Hills Baptist Church.