During the last two weeks, Alaska Job Corps Center students have worked hard to serve their communities by donating their time and diligent efforts by helping homeless and impoverished people in both the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. While engaged in these community service activities, student volunteers were focused on the task at hand as they prepared and served food, cleaned and organized, provided security and escorted members of the public. All in all, they helped hundreds of people, first at Bean’s Café in Anchorage, and then at Project Homeless Connect, coordinated by United Way Mat-Su, in Wasilla.

On Friday, Jan. 19, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., several students from Alaska Job Corps prepared food and served it to 271 homeless and impoverished individuals at Bean’s Café in Anchorage. They made 150 sandwiches for people to take with them and they cleaned and organized around the Café. When the power went out at the Café, they kept on working in low light conditions, because they simply did not want to stop helping people. They worked the serving line, where they portioned food and served it directly to clients waiting in line for their lunch. While the clients expressed their sincerest gratitude, the students smiled and kept on serving.

The students who worked at Bean’s Café were composed of students active in Alaska Job Corps’ Youth2Youth Partners4Peace group, as well as representatives from the Center’s Student Government Association. Y2YP4P is a National Job Corps student-led group that promotes peace both on Job Corps centers and in their local communities.

Students at both events thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to help others.

“This was such a great way to spend my time,” said Jourde Carter-Rodriguez, a student in the Carpentry trade, about her service at Bean’s Café. “I have always wanted to do something like this and I am glad for the opportunity. It is really good to be able to help people who do not have as much as you, and it made me realize that the little things mean a lot.”

Alaska Job Corps continued that spirit of volunteerism and service on Jan. 24 when the Culinary Arts and Security and Protective Services trade students helped the homeless at the eighth annual Project Homeless Connect, organized by United Way Mat-Su. Project Homeless Connect is an annual event that connects individuals and families with community resources and services. This was also Alaska Job Corps’ eighth year helping with the event.

The Culinary Arts students, led by instructor David Williams, prepared food and served it to approximately 200 volunteers at the event held at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla. According to a letter of appreciation from a member of the United Way Mat-Su Board of Directors, the Culinary Arts students were dedicated to their tasks, grateful to be helping and were very professional.

The Security and Protective Services students, led by instructor Wes Rath, not only helped with security, but they opened doors for visitors and smiled as they welcomed the public. They even helped people carry bags to their vehicles. The letter from United Way Mat-Su also said that the Security and Protective Services students went above and beyond their duties.

“It’s great to see how many people came out to help the people that need it,” said Cayden Dally, a Security and Protective Services student who served at the Project Homeless Connect event.

Students from Alaska Job Corps participate in multiple community service projects throughout the year.

“The spirit of service is part of our everyday life at Alaska Job Corps,” said Malyn Smith, Center Director. “Our students know the importance of being active in their communities, and they are glad to help make a difference in people’s lives.”

The Alaska Job Corps Center is a federally funded career training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and managed by Chugach Educational Services, Inc. The Center is committed to providing the highest quality programs for young adults by offering instructions in academics, trades and life skills through innovative methods that respond to the unique individual and group needs of today’s youth.

Story and photos by BCL Carin Meyer.