Before coming to Job Corps, Antonio Forston was homeless. He found himself running with a bad crowd after aging out of foster care, and a friend suggested that he look into Job Corps as a means to make something of himself. Originally, Antonio was only interested in joining so that he could get his driver’s […]
Inglan Thomas
Make it happen. This is the motto Inglan Thomas lives by and what motivates him to push past barriers both big and small. Because of this mindset, Inglan went from not having the grades to get into community college or the military to where he is now, only a few courses away from graduating with […]
Jozimar Matimano
Jozimar Matimano’s life is one built on a foundation of determination, perseverance, and hard work. A refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jozimar has faced and overcome more obstacles than most 25-year-olds. In 2016, Jozimar’s family of eight arrived in Manchester, N.H., for the first time after leaving a refugee camp in Uganda, where […]
Tayler Goins
Tayler Goins grew up in Colonial Heights, Va., as the eldest of four siblings. After graduating from high school, she decided to work as a cashier at Food Lion and CVS instead of pursuing higher education. “I was being irresponsible, and the time came that I had to make a choice to better my life—that […]
Mercedes Schlitter
“Job Corps brought me out of my shell and helped me change my life for the better … I got so much out of the program.” Pennsylvania native Mercedes Schlitter knows a thing or two about overcoming challenges. Growing up in foster care, Mercedes spent most of her life moving from place to place and […]
Maricela Perez
When Maricela Perez graduated from high school in 2014, she planned on continuing her education and studying dentistry at a university in Pennsylvania. However, she wasn’t sure she was ready for college, so instead her parents brought up the idea of Job Corps. Maricela entered Job Corps determined to become a dental assistant. Two years […]
Isaiah Amill
A high school dropout, Isaiah Amill was struggling to figure out what he wanted in life and what career goals to pursue. Then, he heard about Job Corps from his sister, a 2010 Home Health Aide graduate of the program. “My sister loved the program,” Isaiah explained. “She encouraged me to attend and told me […]
Alexandra Perry
Alexandra Perry always had her sights set on becoming a carpenter. But without the necessary training, she struggled to find job opportunities. “It was hard trying to get into the trades without being trained because you have to know someone, and there are few resources within the community.” Seeking to gain the hands-on experience she […]
Shameka Batchelor
Shameka Batchelor is on the front lines fighting COVID-19 in O’Fallon, Ill., where she has been since April 2020. She is making an impact every day in her patients’ lives, supporting and caring for them, while she’s hundreds of miles away from her family. Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Shameka heard about Job Corps through […]
Ricky Tracy
Ricky Tracy had never flown on a plane or even left the state of Kentucky before Job Corps. His time with Job Corps would not only prepare him for his future career but would provide memorable experiences that he says he’ll always appreciate. Originally from Mount Sterling, Ky., Ricky has always been a go-getter and […]