Horizons Youth Services

Charleston Job Corps students attend Yes You Can Conference

Forty students from the Charleston Job Corps Center got a healthy dose of positive thinking during the recent day-long Yes You Can Conference April 23. The event, coordinated by Lisa Lewis, student personnel officer at CJCC to support student retention, was held at the John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston.

Center Director Willie Brown opened the conference by encouraging students to make the most of the day’s events and “have an open mind.”

Guest speakers included Dr. R. Jenee Walker of the Charleston Area Medical Center, who spoke about “Overcoming Barriers to Success;” and Carl Lee, director of community outreach for the City of South Charleston and former NFL Pro-Bowler, who presented “Responsibility and Leadership.”

The conference included break-out sessions for male and female students that focused on “What are employers looking for?” The session for males was facilitated by Frances Brooks, CEO of BrooAlexa Construction of Charleston, and the session for females was facilitated by Starlena Moore, RN, a former Job Corps graduate. BB &T conducted a group session, facilitated by T. Craig Pettry and Missy Ferguson, on banking and establishing credit. Job Corps staff held numerous workshops addressing transition services, advanced training opportunities, and safety.

Pictured, above, left to right, are Kwame Levi and Carl Lee, community outreach director, City of South Charleston.