JOB CORPS NEWS

On a typical Memorial Day weekend, you would find the students of Blue Ridge Job Corps in downtown Marion, VA, engaging in community service activities. It was a given that each year students would volunteer to assist with setting up flags memorializing veterans in...

Danaya Brown Age: 20 Hometown: Prince George, VA Region: Philadelphia Center: Blue Ridge Dates enrolled: 7/31/2018-3/22/2019 Training: CMA, Phlebotomy, Patient Care Technician, EKG Tech., Electronic Health Records Growing up, Danaya Brown always knew that she wanted...

On March 10, 2020, Blue Ridge Job Corps hosted a center tour for a group of seniors from high schools in Smyth County. Guidance counselors from Chilhowie, Northwood, and Marion Senior High Schools brought students from each of their respective schools, who had shown...

Blue Ridge Job Corps students, staff, and supporters joined together for their Winter Graduation ceremony on February 28, 2020, when they congratulated 10 Job Corps students who showed Job Corps Works! by completing the program, bringing the total number of program...

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Dr. William Reid, the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Bristol, VA joined the staff and students on January 21, 2020 to discuss the life and legacy of Dr. King, while sharing his own story, and offering motivation and...

Throughout the month of December, the students and staff at Blue Ridge Job Corps Center participated in a variety of activities to help spread joy and love during the holiday season. Giving back to the community is extremely important to everyone at Blue Ridge, and...

On December 12, Justine Bradley, Licensed Practical Counselor of the Mount Rogers Community Service Board came to center to talk with the student body about how to overcome the "Holiday Blues". There are many factors that can cause the depressed, stressed, agitated,...

Jennifer Hallmark Age: 28 Hometown: Mountain City, TN Region: Philadelphia Center: Blue Ridge Dates enrolled: 9/4/2012-2/11/14 Training: Certified Nursing Assistant, Billing & Coding, High School Diploma Growing up, Jennifer Hallmark lived with my mother in...

Whether young or old, male or female, tall or short, everyone needs to eat. Food is the cornerstone for survival. We also know that what and how much you eat and drink affects your health. Everyone can afford to eat better, and everyone needs to be active, especially...

October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and as every year during this time, Blue Ridge Job Corps does its part to support this wonderful cause. This month staff and students engaged in a variety of activities both on and off center to help not only raise...

Akira Carpenter Age: 23 Hometown: Hampton, VA Region: Philadelphia Center: Blue Ridge Dates enrolled: 9/24/2013-1/31/15 Training: CNA, Home Health Aide, Medication Aide, Electronic Health Records Before arriving at Blue Ridge Job Corps, Akira Carpenter moved around a...

Blue Ridge Job Corps Students, Staff, Supporters Celebrate 9th Annual National Job Corps Commencement Day Blue Ridge Job Corps joined 123 Job Corps centers across the country to celebrate the 9th Annual “National Job Corps Commencement Day” ceremony on August 23, 2019...

Bernisha Valentine Age: 25 Hometown: Chesapeake, VA Region: Philadelphia Center: Blue Ridge Dates enrolled: 11/9/2013-3/28/2015 Training: CMA, MOS, EHR, Billing & Coding, Phlebotomy, EKG, Patient Care Tech. Bernisha Valentine grew up in Chesapeake, VA, with a...

On July 29, 2019, the Rich Valley Fair held its 2nd Annual Health Fair sponsored by Ballad Health. The inaugural Health Fair was geared specifically toward senior citizens, but this year it was opened to all ages, and for the second consecutive year, Blue Ridge Job...

Each summer, the Smyth County Teaching Alternative Program (TAP) provides a summer enrichment program for youth in our county. This included continued learning throughout the months when school isn’t in session, as well as other activities such as arts and crafts,...

Eileah Morris Age: 23 Hometown: Roanoke, VA Region: Philadelphia Center: Blue Ridge Dates enrolled: 4/11/2017-3/29/2019 Training: CNA, HIPAA, CPR/First Aid Eileah Morris enrolled at Blue Ridge Job Corps in April 2017, from Roanoke, VA. She stated, “I was going down...

Before the sun came up on May 17, 2019, a group of Blue Ridge Job Corps students were already on their way to making a difference in the community. The group of nine students, along with Business Community Liaison Jordan Loupe arrived at the Mountain Empire Airport in...

Joycelyn Wroten Age: 23 Hometown: Columbia, SC Region: Philadelphia Center: Blue Ridge Dates enrolled: 5/23/2017-8/17/2018 Training: CMA, HIPAA, CPR/First Aid Joycelyn Wroten arrived at Blue Ridge Job Corps in May of 2017, from Columbia, South Carolina. She had...

Aaliyah Bland Age: 21 Hometown: Fort Lee, VA Region: Philadelphia Center: Blue Ridge Dates enrolled: 9/5/2017- 3/15/2019 Training: CNA, CPR/First Aid, ServSafe Aaliyah Bland came to Blue Ridge Job Corps from Fort Lee, VA, but she spent the majority of her childhood...

On April 25, 2019, Blue Ridge Job Corps hosted an open house to give local employers, potential applicants, and members of the community at-large the opportunity to learn about the opportunities offered at our center. The Student Government Association served as tour...