The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC), operating under Horizons Youth Services (HYS), attended Women’s and Girls’ Day at the Legislature sponsored by the WV Women’s Commission, on March 27, 2017.

The theme of the event was, “Women & Girls Working Together for a Brighter Future”. The purpose of the event was to provide an opportunity for women and girls to share a unique experience while learning to lead, govern and have a voice in their communities.
Julie Palas, Interim Executive Director, opened the meeting greeting and welcoming the attendees from various schools, organizations and communities. A declaration was read declaring March 27 as Women’s and Girls’ Day at the Legislature by Governor Jim Justice. Cabinet Secretary for the Dept. of Education and the Arts, Gail Manchin, addressed the audience saying, “Hopefully, my generation is creating pathways for others. Your being here helps exemplify all the wonderful things you want in life.” Manchin encouraged the women and girls to consider running for office. She is the only female cabinet secretary in the governor’s administration.

Additional topics such as sex trafficking, advocacy and bullying were addressed. The film “Chosen” was facilitated by Karen Haring, Liberia Inc. The movie discussed the issue of human sex trafficking, warning signs and ways to advocate for legislation to protect those endangered. Erin and Leah Liopulos, siblings and models from New York, discussed bullying and their non-profit initiative “Diversity 101-Giving Back to Your Community.”

Students attending the event included Dianna Bickers, Emily Burdette, Ashley Childress, Shanice Grant, Keanu James, Grecia Lemoine, Jeannette O’Neal, Sasha Thomas and Lucy Valdez accompanied by business community liaison, Tia Welch and TABE Coordinator Lovonza Hairston. All women and girls were treated to a registration bag filled with goodies, lunch and an opportunity to win gift bags, skin care products and gift certificates.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. Job Corps is in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.

Student Photo: Grecia Lemoine Keanu James, Ashley Peel, Dianna Bickers, Shanice Grant, Jeanette O’Neal, Sasha Thomas, Emily Burdette and Lucy Valdez.
Group Photo with Cabinet Secretary Gayle Manchin

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