David Borja was born and raised in Guam and was always very close to his family and friends. He could never have imagined being apart from them. However, David was continuously working low-income jobs and wanted a change. “Back home, I was going from job to job but never sticking with one thing for more […]
Kentucky
Michael Ponder
Michael Ponder is booked and busy. He’s the head chef at a senior living community, the owner of his own catering business and the father of a 3-year-old son—and he’s not stopping there. Fresh off winning “Best Dessert” for his banana pudding at a prestigious local event, “Mr. Pudding”—as the community has begun to call […]
Elijah Taybron
Before Job Corps, Elijah Taybron was working for FedEx in a warehouse. He was seeking a new opportunity and was interested in welding. Several members of his family were already welding at a local shipyard and encouraged Elijah to go to school and earn his welding certification. Elijah’s mother told him about Job Corps, and […]
Vernon Taylor
“It [Job Corps] was the best decision I ever made.” Vernon Taylor showed up to work one day at Long John Silver’s and everything was being taken down. The restaurant was closing without notice. Vernon had quit high school in ninth grade and was working there to help support his family. Without a job, Vernon’s […]
Jordan Hood
“This is probably real emotional, but before I went to Job Corps I had dropped out of school because my brother had been murdered.” After Jordan Hood’s brother passed away, he knew he needed to do something more. Jordan found out about Job Corps from scrolling online and decided to attend Muhlenberg Job Corps to […]
Tiffany Middleton
Before arriving at the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center, Tiffany Middleton had faced many hardships and she’d always had to push herself. But by the time she graduated from Job Corps, Tiffany was leaving with a lot more than a diploma. While in the Security training area at the Perkins Job Corps Center, Tiffany […]
Robert “Alec” Lopez
Alec Lopez always felt called to help people, but as a young adult he found himself struggling to find a job that was the right fit. He started off on the path of a certified nurse assistant (CNA), but soon decided it wasn’t for him. Throughout his life, he often dreamed of working in a […]
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 […]
Gavin Walden
Gavin Walden went from lacking direction and wanting a different purpose for his future to being a leader in so many ways, thanks to Job Corps. At 16, Gavin was behind on his education, struggling with drug abuse, and constantly fighting. But Gavin made the decision to take back his life, and that’s just what […]
Carla V. Lopez
“Job Corps is the best opportunity I have ever received. I will always recommend Job Corps to others, and even with my patients, I share my experience. I will always be thankful.” Carla Lopez uses the skills she acquired through her Job Corps training daily in her career, such as preparing and helping patients, sanitizing […]