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 lot with her older brother. She says that she had way too much time on her hands, and she certainly wasn’t doing anything productive with it. She was interested in the medical field, and discovered that there was a training program called Job Corps where she could receive training free of charge, so she decided to take the plunge.
Akira arrived at Blue Ridge in September 2013, and quickly got to work on her trade of choice, certified nursing assistant. In addition to passing her state boards to become a CNA, she also earned certifications for home health aide, medication aide, and electronic health records. She also participated in volunteer work with Atkins Food Pantry.
Immediately after completing her Job Corps training in January 2015, Akira joined AmeriCorps NCCC, stationed in Vinton, Iowa, where she spent one year completing a variety of volunteer service projects. After her time in AmeriCorps, Akira returned to Hampton, VA, where she began working as a medication aide. She has since been employed by Circle of Life as a home health aide, which she loves. During that time, she started a family of her own, marrying her husband and having a son.
Akira expressed tremendous gratitude for the opportunities she was afforded at BRJC, saying, “I will forever be grateful for being accepted into Blue Ridge. Everyone there helped in some way to save my life. I am able to do so much more now.”