Horizons Youth Services

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

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.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Carl D. Perkins students use Leisure Time Employment to gain experience, save money

Talk about a win-win situations! Two students at Carl D. Perkins Job Corps recently were hired by Arby’s restaurant for Leisure Time Employment and are using that employment to save money for their future. The two are electrical student Chris Allen and Carpentry student Martez Mackey.

Those two young men impressed Tyler White, the manager of Arby’s, with their outstanding work ethic and the fact that both had received OSHA training. Martez obtained his high school diploma, completed carpentry and currently is enrolled in the Industrial Technology Program at Big Sandy. Chris completed carpentry and is pursuing a second career technical training program in electrical at Perkins. He also serves as secretary of the Student Government Association.

As part of LTE requirements, students must save 80 percent of their earnings to help them once they graduate. So, their real-world job experience is bringing them benefits now … and in the future.

Chris Allen and Martez Mackey complete new hire paperwork with Arby's Manager Tyler White.

Muhlenberg Job Corps recognizes John Austin for going above and beyond

The Muhlenberg Job Corps Center recently recognized John Austin as the quarterly Above and Beyond Outstanding Employee. Austin was chosen for his commitment to ensuring that nine students succeeded in an accelerated Heavy Equipment Operators course. Through Austin’s leadership, this team of nine students quickly became a fine-tuned unit of skilled, well-trained operators. Four the students will transfer to Advanced Training programs and three will leave the center with jobs in their fields.

Austin’s commitment to excellence played a key role in these students’ success. He provided one-on-one instruction to students outside normal training hours to ensure that all met and surpassed the established course standards. He also provided on-the-job training by enlisting his team of students to clear the center’s roadways, parking lots and sidewalks of snow and ice this winter. Muhlenberg Job Corps staff noted these students’ professionalism and positive behavior as they tackled this important assignment and ensured the safety of all Muhlenberg’s students and staff.

Congratulations John Austin for going above and beyond!

Pictured above, HR Manager Ashley Knight presents John Austin with a certificate of appreciation for his outstanding work with Heavy Equipment Operator students.

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.”