When Isaac Romero saw one of the national commercials for Job Corps, he didn’t realize that one day he himself would be in one of those commercials. In fact, after graduating from high school in 2008, Isaac would go on to accomplish many things he never thought possible. 
At age 18, Isaac found himself in need of a place to live and a desire to further his education. Though he had attended a few community college classes, it had not worked out the way he had hoped and he began his search for something more. That’s when a friend and co-worker who had attended the Los Angeles Job Corps Center told him about the program and that he would be a good candidate. Isaac’s priority at the time was to find housing as he had found himself without it for some time, so he decided to enroll in Job Corps; but what he found in the end was much more than a temporary home.
While at the Long Beach Job Corps Center, Isaac made lifelong friends and learned valuable lessons. He still remembers life in the dorm and the brotherhood he felt among the other students when they would hang out, watch games, and support each other through the ups and downs of training. He was on the soccer team and was even one of the founding members of the Trainee Tribune, the campus newspaper.
The Job Corps teachers and staff became his mentors, and when asked if there was anything he would change about his experience, he simply said no and that Job Corps provided him with everything he needed at that point in his life. When thinking back on his time on campus, Isaac said he “noticed that Job Corps was always willing and able to help all of the students, no matter what training area they were interested in. The students were able to achieve so much because of the support we received.”
After completing his training on the Job Corps campus, Isaac headed to Long Beach City Community College, where he completed his CNA certification. Isaac went on to be a student at Long Beach City for another 2 years and even became the student body president.
While serving as student body president, Isaac met the dean of Student Affairs, Robert Garcia, who later became a city councilman. Upon graduating, Isaac reached out to Robert and used his connection to gain an internship in his office. Job Corps gave him the confidence to be able to ask for what he knew he was now eligible for. Now 10 years later, Robert is the mayor of Long Beach and Isaac is still with him, serving as his executive administrator.
“Job Corps gave me the opportunity to go to college and further my career while providing a safe home and an empowering community. The teachers, advisors, and fellow trainees greatly contributed to my development as a young adult. If it were not for this program, my life might have gone in a totally different path. I gratefully thank Job Corps for giving me a good foundation to build a great life and future.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2011 Employer: Executive Administrator, Office of the Mayor, Long Beach Hometown: El Serino, CA Notes:
Source: Center Submission