Interview with Program Director, Cindy Holloman
Presented by: Cherelle A. Pinckney
October 27, 2013
 Raleigh Rescue Mission began in 1959, as a group that invited homeless
men in the community to Bible studies or revival meetings weekly and
provided prayer and food for the homeless.
 In 1961, the Raleigh Rescue Mission was established to offer hope and
life-changing help to the homeless and hurting individuals in the
community. Help may come in the form of prayer, housing,
rehabilitation, or educational services.
 Partnerships such as the Food Bank of North Carolina, Campbell Law
School, Salvation Army of Wake County, Wake Technical Community
College, and many more help keep the organization thriving so that
they can provide support and assistance to those in the community.
 Classes are constantly changing based upon client feedback and the
evolving education system.
 Certain classes are offered continuously because they are considered
fundamental to life.
 If funding is available or a volunteer is willing to provide a service, based
upon community interest, classes will be offered on a one time or
continuous basis.
 Educational programs are divided into 3 different categories: GED
Preparation and Academic classes, Vocational classes, and Life Skills
classes.
 Tutoring is available for math, reading, and computer skills to ensure
student success.
GED/Academic
Preparation
Vocational Training
Life Skills
Community members/clients
in residential programs
Community members/clients
in residential programs
Only clients in residential
programs
Provided through partnership
with Wake Tech Community
College
Volunteer and/or through
partnership with Wake Tech
Community College
Christ-centered classes
provided by volunteers or
those in the ministry
Volunteer tutors available
Volunteer tutors available
Scheduled time with chaplain
“open doors to employment
and build self-esteem”
“get retrained and find work
that pays a living wage”
“life skills critical to a lasting
recovery”
 Recruiting teachers:
 Continuous process that happens each semester dependent upon the
needs as well as what Wake Tech Community College is able to provide.
 Teachers need to be certified in their field of specialty.
 Volunteers:
 A Volunteer Coordinator is in charge of all volunteers that may be
seasonal or continuous. These individuals live in the community and are
interested in helping out.
 Do not need to be certified in any particular field, but must have a
working knowledge of the subject that they are assistance with.
 Students range from 18 – 65 years of age
 Many students are from broken homes: abandoned and or raised by gang
members.
 Students have been victims of sexual assault, physical abuse, or are current
or past drug users.
 Students may also be from upper middle class homes that have never
experienced poverty but didn’t finish high school.
 Students may just be interested in continuing their education.
 Started as a volunteer in 1997, in 2003 she became an independent
contractor, and in 2004 she became the program director.
 Educational background: high school education, licensed cosmetologist
and teacher, certified North Carolina Victim’s Assistance Advocate,
national certified anger management trainer
 Work background: business owner for 12 years, management of retail for
about 10-12 years
 Substance abuser for 13 years
 Her daughter inspired her to begin this type of work and she will continue
in this profession until she is unable to work.
 Each student that enrolls in a class provided by the Adult Education Ministry must take an
assessment to test their current knowledge. This ties in with the assumption that the “learning
process is cyclical”. The test is used to verify their current knowledge and inform their decisions
moving forward. They can then improve what activities they provide and ensure that their students
are aware of their growth and therefore make meaning of their experiences.
 The teachers and volunteers need to love what they do so they inspire the students to excel. They
need to be aware of how their beliefs, values, experiences, and goals will impact those that they are
interacting with. The ministry recruits many volunteers and teachers are constantly cycling through.
Being aware of who they are recruiting is important to the success of their organization.
 I believe that this program is changing educational paradigms. They are encouraging adults to
continue their educational through vocational and life skills classes or come back to complete your
GED certification. This program is not concerned with what grades the participants make. They want
to ensure that they provide the tools and resources to guarantee life-long success for all clients that
utilize their services.
Adult education center. (2013). Retrieved from
https://www.raleighrescue.org/services/adult-education-center
Mackrecher, D. (2004). Making sense of adult learning. Canada: University of Toronto
Press
Robinson, K. (Performer) (2010, October 14). Rsa animate - changing educational
paradigms. The RSA. [Video podcast]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U