Originally from Russia, Alex Crowley, was adopted at 7 years old and moved to Richmond, Va., with his new family. Alex got into trouble frequently growing up and was in and out of juvenile detention. He eventually dropped out of school in 10th grade, and began to work framing houses. His mother found out about […]
Region 2: Philadelphia
Sarina Benenati
“My advice to someone interested in Job Corps: Jump headfirst into it. Don’t look back. Once you start, hang on to this experience. It’s just a tiny part of your life, but it will follow you and help you from here on out.” Growing up in Montclair, N.J., Sarina Benenati struggled to fit in with […]
LaChan Russell
When LaChan Russell first signed up for Job Corps, she had no clue she was pregnant. She was ready to make a change in her life, she just didn’t realize how many changes would be coming her way. Though she admits that having her son at the time she was enrolling wasn’t what she thought […]
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 […]
Julian Gray-Ferrer
Julian Gray-Ferrer had a major goal for his future—to start and operate his own heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) company. He knew Job Corps would help him gain the technical skills needed to reach his goal. What Julian wasn’t expecting was that he would acquire interpersonal skills that would become just as important. […]
Julian Roth
Julian Roth attended Job Corps with the intention of only completing his Computer Technician training in the Information Technology program. Little did he know, Harpers Ferry Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center would provide him an opportunity to join the fire program. The fire program was a work-based learning experience where Julian was introduced to the […]
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 […]