Winter darkness is pervasive in the higher latitudes and along with the darkness comes feelings of sadness and often depression.  Recognizing this fact is a part of ongoing counseling and concern at the Alaska Job Corps Center.  We know that employment training and academic success depend fully on students’ health and outlook.

Here are a few of the ways the Center helps students deal with the weak light and energy in the lowest part of the year:

• Spirit Week—Student Government sponsored theme days during the work week help bring vitality and energy to some of the dark days.
• Tree Lighting—Many conifer and deciduous trees are lit with little lights and will stay lit through March.
• Communal Bonfires—These are all student and staff gatherings, or assemblies around a large (but safe) firepit.  Hot Chocolate and cookies are usually part of this, along with music.  The fuel is from waste (non treated) lumber from carpentry and craft projects.
• Little campus lights and stars hang from all the buildings, brightening up the darkness.
• Music and Art are emphasized during the winter.  The Alaska Job Corps Center brings in entertainers and teachers and internal groups also provide music and art projects.
  Indoor and outdoor sports are varied and available.  Indoor rock climbing, dancing, weight training, volleyball, swimming and basketball are popular.  Outdoor sports include snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and sledding.
• Holiday retreats are planned by each residential dorm prior to Holiday break and upon resumption of the training year at the beginning of 2017.  In addition special care is offered to students who stay over holiday break, along with special activities and attention.
• Finally as a continual reminder, bright red ribbons and purple ribbons hang from most trees on the beautiful Job Corp campus.  These are not merely decorative.  They are beautiful against the snow, but they symbolize the continual commitment against bullying, violence and drug abuse.  The red and purple ribbons were hung in the late fall as a part of respective anti violence and anti drug campaigns with the plans that they stay on the bare trees and flutter all winter.

The Alaska Job Corps is operated by Chugach Education Services.