“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 often struggled with family issues.
“Growing up, my life was kind of difficult. My adopted mom and I didn’t get along; we just never saw eye to eye. But one day she introduced me to Job Corps, and going there was the first thing we both agreed on.”
Eager for a fresh start, Mercedes decided to enroll in Job Corps in August of 2018, and she hasn’t looked back since. During her time at Job Corps, Mercedes got her high school diploma and received training in Certified Nursing Assistant and Security. She also completed two rounds of Security work-based learning. Mercedes had the opportunity to work under the center’s security guard and learned different types of protocol. She was also involved in Student Government Association and was appointed dorm president.
Mercedes credits Job Corps for providing her with more than just an education. “Job Corps helped me be more sympathetic to people … it helped me be more open and helped me with my time management.”
Mercedes’ plans for the future include enlisting in the U.S. Army and getting a job working in security. And her advice to new Job Corps students? “Stay focused on yourself and do what you came here to do.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: Summer 2020 Hometown: Redding, Pennsylvania Notes:
Contact Information: Herring.Calvin@jobcorps.org
Source: Center Submission