Newsroom

Rock Island, Ill. (Nov. 2, 2022) – Royal Neighbors of America, a fraternal benefit society based in Rock Island, Ill. has presented Lydia Tate, Executive Director, Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) of McLennan County with a Nation of Neighbors℠ empowerment award and $10,000 grant. The award and grant presented to Ms. Tate is one of ten Royal Neighbors will present nationwide this fall.

A membership organization with 250,000 members nationwide, Royal Neighbors of America offers life insurance and annuity products to its members and is driven by its mission of supporting women and serving communities. Nation of Neighbors is Royal Neighbors’ signature women’s empowerment program and recognizes and supports women who work to empower women and girls through a nonprofit, business, or program. Royal Neighbors member Juliette Ellis nominated CWJC and Ms. Tate for the empowerment award and grant.

Christian Women’s Job Corps of McLennan County has served adult women since 2003. The organization provides free job training and GED Classes that seek to empower women. Their mission is to offer holistic job training by fostering spiritual, personal, and professional growth which enables women to transform themselves.

Christian Women Job Corp classes include GED prep and testing, money management, entrepreneurship, computer classes, Bible study, personal relationship growth, resume writing, interview skills, communication skills, and much more. The classes – paired with tutoring, case management, and mentoring makes their graduates confident and capable employees and community members.

Ms. Tate has called Waco home since 2011, after spending most of her life in the Houston area. After graduating from Houston Baptist University with her degree in Music Education, she was offered an opportunity to expand her passion for women’s ministry via Sigma Phi Lambda as their first national Executive Director. There, she honed her skills in organizational management and expanded her knowledge of the nonprofit sector.

“With her leadership, Christian Women’s Job Corp is creating what we like to call the ‘ripple effect’ of women’s empowerment, and that is in beautiful alignment with the mission of Royal Neighbors of America,” said Royal Neighbors Director of Philanthropy Amy Jones at the presentation on Nov. 2. “The transformation through education that the CWJC is bestowing upon women of McClellan county is a gift that will impact women and the community of Waco for years to come.”

“Women are often at the center of their homes,” said Ms. Tate. “A woman’s goals are often put aside due to the needs of family. CWJC walks beside women in their journey and challenges them to take the next steps towards their personal goals. Once that focus is set, it leads to true empowerment. That mother now leads her child towards education, that daughter now shares with her father about her new job, women empower the world around them and inspire others to take note. Shifting the landscape for just one woman can impact an entire family and an entire community. Her energy to conquer her goals will ignite those around her.”

Royal Neighbors of America is a unique provider of life insurance and annuities whose mission is to protect women financially and empower them to improve their lives, families, and communities. Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895 as a membership organization by nine pioneering women who recognized the need to insure the lives of women and children. In 2020, Royal Neighbors was upgraded to “A Excellent” (3rd highest out of 13) by the AM Best Company for overall financial strength and ability to meet ongoing obligations to certificate holders. The rating was affirmed as of November 30, 2021. Royal Neighbors is a five-time Great Place to Work-Certified™ organization. For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, go to royalneighbors.org.