“Job Corps taught me discipline, how to listen and to budget,” explained Shakia Smith. “But the most notable thing I learned was to apply myself to everything I do.” When Cleveland Job Corps graduate Shakia was 18 years old and a high school graduate, she knew she wanted to take the right step toward her […]
Health Care
Kyla Turner
As she is a hands-on learner, learning remotely during the pandemic was one of Kyla Turner’s greatest challenges. She was ready to get back to campus as soon as possible and learn hands-on, surrounded by peers and instructors again. Once she was back to campus, Kyla learned the ins and outs of her training program, […]
Abiona Jones
“In that moment of my life, I desperately needed a place like Job Corps.” Abiona Jones was a new mother experiencing homelessness. Her late father’s family reached out to Abiona offering to help raise her child and put a roof over their heads. After four months of living with family, Abiona found herself in a […]
Alexia Boston
Alexia Boston was determined to create a life she loved for herself and her two children. She dreamed of going to college after high school and becoming a doctor, but life didn’t work out as she expected. After years of working part-time retail jobs to make ends meet for her family, Alexia felt her dreams […]
Ahmed Alston
Ahmed Alston felt intense pressure to take care of his family and continue putting his future on hold. He couldn’t finish high school, then tried attending Job Corps at 17 years old; but he couldn’t stick with it. Ahmed felt washed out and wasn’t ready for the program. He felt embarrassed around his high school […]
Marc Stokes
Sometimes, something as simple as a flier can change your life. Philadelphia native Marc Stokes knew he wanted to pursue a career in a technical field but hadn’t decided how he would go about it. That’s when he saw a flier for Job Corps and learned that he could receive his training and education free […]
Joselin Sanchez Guarneros
Nurses like Joselin Sanchez Guarneros help save lives every day. But before she got to where she is today, she was the one who needed help. “I was going down a bad path that involved alcohol and just not caring about my well-being,” Joselin said. “Job Corps saved me from me.” She first heard about […]
Lora Williams
When Lora Williams saw a commercial for Job Corps in 2000, she felt called to dial the number on the screen. “It was a pretty abnormal thing for me to do,” Lora said. “I didn’t think anything would come of it, I just thought I might as well try.” Lora was 16 years old at […]
Meron Cash
Before coming to the United States, Meron Cash spent most of her childhood in orphanages in Ethiopia. She was the oldest of her siblings and learned early in life to be disciplined and responsible for her family. At the orphanage, Meron would help other girls with their hair, uniforms and day-to-day responsibilities. Even before she […]
Adrianna Lejeune
Adrianna LeJeune grew up in a small town in Louisiana before moving to Fairfax, Va. Growing up, she was a bright student and always enjoyed learning. Due to difficult circumstances, Adrianna did not finish high school and experienced homelessness throughout her young life. Fortunately, she learned about Job Corps just in time. Her mother-in-law knew […]