The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC), operated by Horizons Youth Services, held its quarterly Community Relations Council (CRC) meeting on Friday, February 16, 2018 in the center gymnasium. Several members were on hand for presentations from the department heads of Finance & Administration, Career Services, Training, Wellness, Student Personnel Office, Wellness and Human Resources.

The meeting was called to order by Student Government Association (SGA) Vice-President Julian Gray-Ferrar. Sarah Hoke, SGA President read the daily motivator, “Passion for the Work” by Ralph Marston. The invocation was given by CRC executive board member, Ray Woods, Jr., followed by a recess for lunch by Tamara’s Catering.

Center Director, Willie Brown provided several center updates including our center’s On Board Strength (OBS), the number of students we have on center which is 75% of our goal which is 307 students. Brown encouraged council members to help us reach our OBS with more local students. “We want more West Virginia students.” Additionally, Brown informed the council of our new outreach and admissions contractor, Insights who has an office located on center. They will be responsible for recruiting students across the state of WV and VA.

The center recently underwent a safety audit by the national office. The highest rating possible is 6.0. Brown reported, “Charleston Job Corps Center received a 5.8 rating.” The crowd applauded the efforts of staff and students in promoting safety on center. In closing, Willie Brown mentioned the center’s Outcome Measurement System (OMS) and the center’s contract status. He said, “Horizons Youth Services, the incumbent contractor, has been awarded the contract for five years. We were informed Dec. 29, 2018 that the duration is January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022.

Tia Welch, Business Community Liaison, reported on center communications and upcoming events before opening the meeting to CRC Members for community announcements following adjournment. The next CRC Meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2018 at 12:00 noon.

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. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.