“Just last year I was sleeping on friends’ couches and even worse I ended up homeless living in a homeless shelter,” acknowledged nineteen-year-old, Nicholas Hassel. “That’s when I realized I needed a career that would change my life.” Taking the advice of his sister, he enrolled in Job Corps where he could get training, a career, and have a safe place to live.

On February 17, 2020, Nicholas Hassel successfully completed the Carpentry career training program at the Cleveland Job Corps Center. Nicholas will be starting a new chapter in his life in the United States Army on February 24, 2020, at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. The nineteen-year-old will be in the Underwater Welding program.

In seven months, Nicholas obtained certifications in Carpentry and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). He also participated in community service events, worked with children at the Collinwood Community Center and was a member of Guided Steps.

“Job Corps is a chance to enter the workforce as an educated individual that has the potential to start a career in a world where college isn’t an option for everyone,” stated Nicholas. “The best thing about Job Corps training is that the instructors try their best to prepare you for the workforce and day-to-day operations.” He is grateful for his instructors and friends that helped him along the way.