Age: 20
Center: Cleveland Job Corps
Region: Chicago
Hometown: Virgin Islands
Career Area: Medical Office Support & Nursing Assistant
Dates in Job Corps: January 25, 2016
Nelysa S. Ventura left her home in the Virgin Islands and moved in with her mother who resides in Cleveland, Ohio in December 2015, with hopes of launching a ca-reer. Ms. Ventura’s Aunt is a Miami Job Corps alumna and told her about the Job Corps program. After researching the program, she decided to enroll. Ms. Ventura arrived at the Cleveland Job Corps Center on January 25, 2016. Arriving to Center on her first day, she felt a little apprehensive, especially with the living arrange-ments. Sharing a room with complete strangers made her uneasy and question her decision. However, Ms. Ventura explained that upon entering Career Preparation Period classes, she realized that Job Corps had a wealth of opportunities to offer her. “I was my number one motivator and all I needed was to stay focused to get what I came for,” she said.

Ms. Ventura earned her High School Diploma, as well as Medical Office Support, Home Health Aide, Nursing Assistant and CPR/First Aide credentials while en-rolled in Cleveland Job Corps. She also obtained Work Based Learning hours on Center interning in the Administration Building working at the front desk and ac-crued 75 hours of clinical training at Rogers Home Care. She attended her most an-ticipated graduation from Cleveland Job Corps on August 19, 2016, “Graduation was the happiest day of my life, I finally feel accomplished,” said Ms. Ventura. She completed the Cleveland Job Corps program on September 3, 2016, and with help from the Career Transition Readiness department she gained full-time employment with Wood Glen Alzheimer’s Community in Dayton, Ohio. When asked if she had advice for current and future Job Corps students she said to tell them, “life is a one-time opportunity, use it well,” a saying her aunt always said her. Her future goal is to branch off into an entrepreneurship.