From Charleston Job Corps to serving his country

Charleston Job Corps graduate Shaquan Siler is taking a new direction in his life following his graduation from Charleston Job Corps Center. Siler is now in Army basic training at Fort Jackson, N.C., preparing to serve his country. Siler enlisted in the U.S. Army on Feb. 19, and signed on to be trained as an Army Airborne Ranger, receiving a $10,000 sign-on bonus.

While at Charleston Job Corps, Siler received two national certifications in Telecommunications and Copper-Based Systems, increasing his employability and opportunities for success. Congratulations Shaquan on your success at Charleston Job Corps and on your new career path with the U.S. Army!

Career training + on-the-job experience = SUCCESS

Quality career training and on-the-job experience through work-based learning helped Marycait Hoke, 24, land a job as a data quality specialist with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Hoke will be working in the Kanawha City location.

Before enrolling in the Office Administration career technical training program at the Charleston Job Corps Center in April 2014, Hoke graduated from Lincoln County High School in Hamlin, WV and attended Marshall University and West Virginia State University. While at CJCC, Hoke completed Work Based Learning at Area Wide Protective, Dunbar, WV, and Lyne Ranson’s Law Office on Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston, WV. At both WBL internships, she was responsible for answering telephones, completing time schedules, organizing files, copying and additional office duties. Hoke also worked on the CJCC student newspaper, typing and editing articles. James Brown, office administration instructor, said, “Marycait was one of my best Office Administration students and understood the philosophy of ‘Playing like a Champion Everyday’, as well as striving for excellence. I know that Marycait will do great things because she is truly a success story.”

Hoke thanks Mr. Brown and Steven Canterbury, administrative director, West Virginia Judiciary, who helped with her job placement. Her words of wisdom to current and future Job Corps students are: “Things may get hard, but if you can make it through, you will have a great reward.”

For Marycait and students like her, Job Corps works!

Charleston Job Corps students job shadow throughout community

Talk about a busy Groundhog’s Day! Students from the Charleston Job Corps Center participated in National Groundhog Job Shadow Day on Feb. 2 by job-shadowing at the district office of Sen. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, the West Virginia Equal Employment Office CASCI, West Virginia Career Transition Services, Thomas Memorial Hospital, and the West Virginia State Legislature. While visiting the Legislature, leadership students met with Sen. Chris Walters and Delegates Nancy Guthrie, Linda Phillips, Mike Pushkin, Sean Hornbuckle and Amanda Pasdon.

Student participants include Xenobia Brown, Katharine Durden, Tamara Evans, Jamie Guerrero, Brittany Kelsh, Morgan McClleland, Kiera Meekins, Maricela Perez, Angel Scott, Tearaha Smith Lane, Ahmir Cross, Laurance Miller Hicks, Cheryl Spence, John Fleming, Marchae Sterling, Teara Estep, Cassia Marino, Jeremy Kelly, Kenneth Phillips, Malcolm Gray, Aer’ion Mayfield, Brian Balbuen, Tashiana Nichols, and Trevor Fuhrman, under the direction of Tia Welch, Business Community Liaison.

National Groundhog Job Shadow Day is a national campaign that gives young people a new perspective on their studies through hands-on learning and a one-day mentoring experience.  Charleston Job Corps Center students look forward to this event and benefit by gaining valuable information, utilizing their trade skills, demonstrating leadership and employability skills, participating in business meetings, displaying professionalism and receiving professional mentoring. A special thanks to everyone that participated in this event.

Pictured left to right are Delegate Sean Hornbuckle, Kenneth Phillips, Tashiana Nichols, Delegate Jill Upson, Aer’ion Mayfield, Delegate Linda Phillips, Malcolm Gray and Delegate Amanda Pasdon.

Early Detection, Education and Intervention are important keys to fighting breast cancer

That was the message that students and staff at the Charleston Job Corps Center heard at its 4th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event Oct. 22. The event was held in honor of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Female staff and students listened to a presentation by Alyshia Harris, a registered nurse at Thomas Memorial Hospital and breast cancer survivor. “This disease does not discriminate. It does not care about your race, age or gender,” she said. She also stressed the importance of doing self-exams, mammograms and early detection.  Harris, who credits her family and friends for their support and encouragement, noted that attitude is crucial in fighting the disease. “I was determined to beat cancer. I have so much to live for.”

Tia Welch, business community liaison at Charleston Job Corps, said Charleston Job Corps has hosts this event each year “because we want our students and staff to be informed about the disease, and the importance of self-exams and making healthy lifestyle choices.”  Wellness Manager Sherri Holstein reminded students and staff that “early detection, education and intervention of breast cancer save lives.”  Center Director Willie Brown said, “Breast cancer is a very devastating disease, but it can be overcome.  As a center we want to support our breast cancer survivors as best we can.”

On behalf of the Charleston Job Corps Center, Welch and students from the Ladies of Excellence group presented a check to Alyshia Harris for the Thomas Memorial Hospital Foundation Pink Ribbon Fund.  Following the presentation 100 students and staff walked the track and released pink and white balloons recognizing those who have succumbed to the disease.

A special thanks to guest speaker Alyshia Harris; Sandy Young, RN, Thomas Memorial Hospital; and Hometown Sportswear for the customized t-shirts.

Pictured left to right, Bryanna Watson, Tia Welch, Alyshia Harris and Jaquai Felton.

Charleston Job Corps student participate in disaster preparedness drill

When it comes to disaster preparedness, practice makes a huge difference.

And students from the Charleston Job Corps Center played a big part in the success of a recent Disaster Preparedness Drill at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington, WV. Thirteen students from the center joined others to act as disaster victims with various injuries from lacerations to broken limbs. The drill involved a riverboat accident with mass casualties.

The drill, held June 23, is being led by the Cabell-Wayne Local Emergency Planning Committee.  Emergency responders utilize this training to examine and evaluate emergency planning procedures, as well as coordination among first responders and community partners.  Several groups participated in the drill, including the Huntington Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Cabell County E.M.S., Cabell County 911, Huntington Police Department, St. Mary's Medical Center, Cabell Huntington Hospital, the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Spring Valley and River Park Hospital.

CJCC is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this drill as part of the center’s activities for Universal Safety Month.  Student participants included Brittany Yeager, Lizabell Gonzalez, Tamara Evans, Cierra Smith, Angelique Jackson-Hazelwod, Ben Binda, Taylor Wallace, Ronald McPhaul, Samantha Jakoby, Jahnay Brice, Michaela Sims, Cameron Blankenship and Paris Jamison accompanied by Gary Evans, safety officer; Jeffrey Burdette, security manager; and Tia Welch, business community liaison.

Pictured, first row, are Brittany Yeager, Lizabell Gonzalez, Tamara Evans, Cierra Smith, Angelique Jackson-Hazelwod and Ben Binda; second row:  Taylor Wallace, Ronald McPhaul, Samantha Jakoby, Jahnay Brice, Michaela Sims, Cameron Blankenship and Paris Jamison.

Charleston Job Corps student on the road to becoming an RN

Daviya Doyle-Tull, a 25-year-old student at Charleston Job Corps, is well on her way to achieving her goal of becoming a registered nurse. She has received her High School Equivalency from Penn Foster and completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A) Program at Charleston Job Corps. Additionally, she completed a work-based learning internship at Hubbard Hospice House, located just across from the center. Now she's preparing to enroll in the Registered Nursing program at the Charleston (WV) ARea Medical Center to pursue her goal of becoming an RN.

Her words of wisdom to current and future Job Corps students mirror her own determination: “Strive for success and never give up.”

Daviya is just one more example of how Job Corps works to change lives and build bright futures.

Charleston Job Corps BCL Tia Welch honored by Rotary Club

Congratulations to Tia Welch, business community liaison for the Charleston, WV Job Corps Center. Tia was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Charleston Rotary Club in recognition of her efforts to further understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. Tia, who served as president of the Charleston Rotary Club for 2013-14, was the first African-American president of the Charleston club. Tia noted that her election to that post "speaks volumes to the spirit of inclusion and diversity our club has to making the world a better place for ALL."

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.

Charleston Job Corps honors student moms

The Charleston Job Corps Center honored its students who are also mothers during its second annual Mother’s Day Celebration May 9.

Six student mothers were recognized during a reception -- Meskerem Gemtesa, Darlene Flores, Ally Haines, Bridget Hartz, Ashley Weedon and Marie Wells. Guest speaker was Carolyn Wesley of the East End Family Resource Center and a member of the center’s Community Relations Council.

Business Community Liaison Tia Welch, who hosted the event, told the young mothers:  “I want you to know that staff care, and we encourage you to complete your goals so you can be good mothers to your children.” Center Director Willie Brown encouraged the students with personal experiences and recognized their achievements. Wesley urged the students to set short- and long-term goals. She said, “Be mindful of your circle of influence and know your resources. Whatever is toxic or not working, you have to let it go.”

 Staff encouraged the students to stay committed to the program and achieve their academic and career technical training goals to ensure a better life for their families.

Pictured, left to right, are Darlene Flores, Bridget Hartz, Carolyn Wesley, Marie Wells, Meskerem Gemtesa, and Ashley Weedon.

Charleston Job Corps students help with kids' health event

Students from the Charleston Job Corps Center volunteered for the 21st Annual Kidoodle Kids’ Day on May 3 at the South Charleston Community Center. This free event for area children and their families, included services such as free dental, hearing and vision screenings, glucose and speech screenings, car seat safety checks, Jupiter Jump, a DJ, clown, and much more.  Thomas Memorial Hospital staff  were on hand to answer questions, provide education materials to families, and help give away 500 bicycle helmets to the children.

The Charleston Job Corps students assisted with screenings by signing up families and helping them with paperwork. CJCC volunteers included Francesca Wickline, Sara McDuffie, Tiffany Robinson, Nadirrah Wright and Stephanie Brown accompanied by Tia Welch, business community liaison.
  
This annual event is sponsored by The Foundation for the Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis Hospitals.

Pictured left to right are Francesca Wickline; Sara McDuffie; Tiffany Robinson; Sandy Young, RN; Nadirrah Wright; and Stephanie Brown.

Charleston Job Corps celebrates Global Youth Services Day

On April 11, Charleston Job Corps Center joined an estimated 2 million young people participating in Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) activities nationwide. This year, students and staff focused on fire prevention.

Students Sharis Purnell, Arielle Davenport, Donneica Johnson, Adam Lee, Audrey Liggins IV, Jaleel Shabazz, William Waters-Shorter, and Abia White, along with Business Community Liaison Tia Welch, partnered with Heather Foster, Regional Volunteer Service Director for American Red Cross –WV Region. The students canvassed neighborhoods in Dunbar, W.Va., to distribute fire prevention information to residents.

"GYSD is an important day for students at the Charleston Job Corps Center to join youth across the country to give back to the local community," said Welch.

The American Red Cross-Regional CEO Erica Mani, shared tips on fire prevention. "The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives."

Pictured, left to right are, first row: Abia White, Ms. Heather Foster, Sharis Purnell; Second Row: Donneice Johnson, Audrey Liggins, Adam Lee, William Waters-Shorter, Jaleel Shabazz, and Arielle Davenport.

Charleston Job Corps grad heads to TCU Advanced Training

Mercedes Dominique is well on her way to pursuing a career as a train conductor. A graduate of Charleston Job Corps, Mercedes is now headed to the Transportation Communications Union Advanced Training program at Potomac Job Corps Center to get the additional training she needs to advance in her chosen career.

While at Charleston Job Corps, Mercedes completed the Certified Nursing Assistant program, finishing with the highest class grade point average for that program. She also was a member of Ladies with a Vision, a female student organization at Charleston that promotes activities on center, and served on the dorm leadership for Parks Dorm.

Looking back at her enrollment at Charleston Job Corps, Mercedes credits her counselor Gerald Bush and his continuous support and motivation for helping her complete the program. Her advice to other Job Corps students is: “Focus on the outcome of what your hard work will produce instead of the temporary obstacles you may face on the road to success.”

Charleston Job Corps grad now working for AMTRAX

Charleston Job Corps graduate Champagne Hill is now employed by AMTRAX, Mass Transit, in Queens, N.Y., making $16.49 an hour as a coach cleaner. Following her six-month trial period, Hill hopes to advance in the company to attending customers on the train. Her current duties include cleaning trains and diner cars, and making sure the train is presentable for customers.

Hill arrived at the Charleston Job Corps Center in June 2011 with her High School Diploma, and completed the Office Administration career technical training program.  From Charleston, Hill transferred in April 2013 to the Transportation Communications Union advanced training program for AMTRAX Mass Transit and Railroad Freight Clerk at the Shriver Job Corps Center in Devens, Mass.

Hill currently is living in the Bronx, N.Y. with her grandmother.

Congratulations Champagne!

Charleston Job Corps welcomes two new work-based learning partners

The Charleston Job Corps is pleased to welcome two new work-based learning partners -- First Baptist Church/Business Annex and Oak Ridge Center. First Baptist will provide hands-on training and job experience for students in the painting, carpentry and facilities maintenance career technical training programs. Oak Ridge, an assisted living and nursing care facility, provides work-based learning internships to Charleston's Certified Nursing Assistant students. Additionally, Oak Ridge has hired Charleston graduates for full-time employment at the center.

Work-based learning is an important component of the career training students receive at Job Corps. These WBL internships provide students with on-the-job training and real world work experience. Employers, through these WBL internships, provide-on-the-job training to potential employees prior to hiring them, ensuring that these potential employees match the needs of the organization and are fully trained before being hired. Together, WBL partners and Job Corps provide students with the skills, training and experience they need to succeed in today's competitive job market.

Charleston Job Corps to hold College Day at center

The Charleston Job Corps will hold a College Day with area colleges and universities Sept. 25. The event will enable schools to share information about their degree and certification programs with Job Corps students.

Participating schools include Kanawha Valley Community & Technical College, Bridgemont Community & Technical College, the University of Charleston and West Virginia State University.

Janet Jones, Advanced Career Training/Off-Center Training coordinator, is organizing the event, which will run 8:30-11:30 a.m. in the center’s gym.

Charleston Job Corps grad enrolled in Auto Advanced Training program

Charleston Job Corps graduate Caleb Hackett has enrolled in the United Auto Workers-Labor Employment & Training Corp. (UAW-LETC) Advanced Automotive training program at Clearfield Job Corps Center in Utah. This new training opportunity matches Hackett's long-standing interest in automotive service work. While at Charleston Job Corps, he completed the Pharmacy Tech career technical training program.

The Advanced Automotive training program at Clearfield is based on the National Automotive Technician Foundations task list. Students get automotive training from industry leaders such as AAMCO Transmissions, Toyota, Lexus and others. Students also prepare to take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification tests prior to graduating. Hackett's curriculum will focus on servicing medium to heavy duty trucks.

Charleston Job Corps moves up 47 slots in OMS rankings in just one year

Congratulations to the Charleston Job Corps Center for moving up in the OMS rankings from 120th to 73rd in the country in just one program year! Charleston JCC also surpassed its goal of achieving an average rating of 98% or higher by finishing the program year with an overall rating of 98.8%. Another great example of how through dedication, teamwork and commitment to excellence, Job Corps works!

Charleston Job Corps Center Director Curtis Price, a true champion of the Job Corps program

It is with great sadness that the Charleston Job Corps community notes the death of Center Director Curtis Price Jr., 63, on May. 30.

Price, a native of Charleston whose 27-year Job Corps career began at the Charleston Job Corps Center, returned to head the center in April 2012.

This past February, Price was among 24 honorees recognized at the Governor’s 10th Annual Civil Rights Day for “Advancing Civil Rights through Advocacy.”

During his Job Corps career he served as center director at six different Job Corps centers, including Charleston; Delaware Valley in New York; Westover in Massachusetts; Gary in Texas; Potomac in Washington, D.C.; and Penobscot in Maine.

Additionally, he has served as director of student support services and vice president of government and community relations for Management & Training Corp., a major operator of Job Corps centers.

Price began his Job Corps career at CJCC, serving as an employability specialist/job developer at the center. Prior to joining Job Corps, he served as the equal employment opportunity administrator for the state of West Virginia, Governor’s Office; director of the recreation program at Central Charleston Community College; and head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia State University.

Many in the Charleston community remember Price for his exceptional talent on the basketball court during the 1960s and early 70s.

He was a star player on the Charleston High School teams, including the 1968 state championship team coached by Lou Romano, and was named a Street & Smith's first-team All-American. Although he suffered a severe knee injury his senior year in high school that ended hopes of playing basketball professionally, he did go on to play three seasons for the University of West Virginia, averaging 7.7 points per game for his entire career there, and 10 points per game his senior year.  

However as important as his basketball career was to him, his education took a higher priority. Price earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/social studies from WVU.

Price used basketball and his coaching experience to connect with students and staff at Charleston Job Corps, making a free-throw competition, with prizes for the winners, part of the center’s Monday business meeting.

Price’s wife noted that, despite his declining health, Price always maintained his focus on the success of the students and staff at the Charleston Job Corps Center.

Pete Calvo, president of Horizons Youth Services, which operates the CJCC, said, “Mr. Price has been a great champion of the Job Corps Program for many years, and will be deeply missed.” 

Charleston Job Corps participates in Global Youth Services Day

Student Clarence Hensoon with Janet Clark of AARP

On Saturday, April 27, Charleston Job Corps Center joined an estimated 2 million young people participating in Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) activities nationwide. By volunteering with WV State University’s Community Service Day with AARP to shred documents for the public and Thomas Memorial Hospital’s Children’s Health Fair by working participating booths and dressing as care bears, students demonstrated their commitment to addressing the needs of their community and its citizens.

“GYSD is an important day for students of the Job Corps program nationwide to give back to the local community,” HYS Director of Operations Nolyn Fueller stated.  Ms. Janet Clarke of AARP stated, “We love having Job Corps students help, and we are a work-based learning site for the Charleston Job Corps Center.” 

Tia Welch, business & community liaison at CJCC, and student Clarence Henson volunteered with WVSU Community Service Day partner AARP, and Medical Office Support Students Shanae Brown, Kara Miller, Arunya Rimongrua and Stephanie Rager volunteered with Thomas Memorial Hospital for the Children’s Health Fair.

Each year, Job Corps provides training and support to more than 60,000 young people. Job Corps also teaches social skills and encourages leadership development, and GYSD is a great way for students to build their leadership skills through community service.

CJCC students volunteering at the Thomas Memorial Hospital Children’s Health Fair were, left to right, Stephanie Rager, Kara Miller and Arunya Rimongrua (dressed as Care Bears) and Shanae Brown.

Three Charleston Job Corps students complete ACT College Program

Three Charleston Job Corps Center students enrolled in the ACT (Advanced Career Training) College program are completing this latest phase of their education and job training. Students Heather M. Dunihue and Alemayehu Mengste will participate in the Kanawha Valley Community & Technical College 2013 Spring Graduation Ceremony May 12. Dunihue earned an associate’s degree in accounting, and Mengste earned an associate’s degree in computer information technology – Management Information Systems.

Also completing the ACT College program is Sheicho Muze, who has completed more than 95 credit hours at West Virginia State University in the pre-pharmacy program. Muze has been conditionally accepted in the University of Charleston pharmacy program, pending results of the PCAT exam which he will take in September.