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 completers to 59 students over the past year.

Recent Job Corps graduates employed in Virginia, employer partners, local policymakers, community leaders, family members and many others recognized these students’ achievements and the investment they made in their futures and community.

“Remember that the lid is off the jar,” said Tim Anderson, Chief Nursing Officer at Smyth County Community Hospital, who served as keynote speaker during the ceremony. “The lid represents all the limitations that have been placed upon you, but that lid is gone now,” Anderson said. “Don’t continue to live in the jar.”

Blue Ridge Job Corps is one of 123 Job Corps centers located across the country. A unique national program, Job Corps offers underserved youth a set of diverse academic opportunities and career pathways tailored to meet the needs of business and industry. Each year, Job Corps gives tens of thousands of youth a second chance to complete their education and advance into careers, higher education or the military.

Job Corps has served more than 3 million out-of-work young adults and underserved youth nationally. Many are high-school dropouts or public-assistance recipients, and Job Corps helps them become active contributors to their communities.

Clinical Medical Assistant graduate Doreita Pokuwaa acted as one of two student speakers for the ceremony. “Dream big,” she said, “and be proud of how far we have all come.” Katelin Singleton, also a CMA graduate, then provided an emotional reading of Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Cathy Williams, Center Director for Blue Ridge, stated, “I am extremely proud of each and every graduate walking across this stage here today, and my hope is that each of you will continue to build off of the foundation you build during your time at Blue Ridge Job Corps.”

Local community members who have worked with Job Corps volunteers also joined the celebration to congratulate many of their student volunteers. Job Corps students and staff work with local community-based organizations and nonprofits, logging many hours of volunteer service every year. For example, Blue Ridge students work with Atkins Food Pantry and Feeding America to provide needed services in Southwest Virginia.

National Job Corps Association President & CEO, Byron V. Garrett stated, “The Job Corps community – our students, their families, center staff, operators, community leaders, employer partners and supporters – worked hard to transform futures that will lead to a lifetime of preparation and success. The devotion of our community is why Job Corps has such strong bipartisan support in Congress and why it continues to be the most successful job training program for America’s underserved youth.