The new Safety and Security Manager, Cristian Mancilla, at Whitney M. Young Jr. Job Corps Center is a proud Job Corps graduate! Mancilla started his Job Corps journey for his daughter, Yasmin, because he did not want to raise her in the same environment he grew up in. Mancilla went to Muhlenberg Job Corps Center, where he completed the Security and Pharmacy Tech trades. After graduation, he transferred to Advanced Training at Grafton Job Corps Center in Massachusetts. Mancilla began his career at Muhlenberg Job Corps Center as a Residential Advisor, eventually advancing to the position of Student Personnel Officer and then to Safety and Security Manager. After serving at Muhlenberg Job Corps Center for almost 20 years, Mancilla came to Whitney M. Young Jr. Job Corps Center as the Safety and Security Manager.
Mancilla’s passion for serving youth comes from his personal experience. His decision to join Job Corps as a staff member was also impacted by the loss of his brother to gang violence, he wanted to impact youth with similar backgrounds as him and his brother and show them alternative ways of living.
Job Corps changed Mancilla’s life by providing him with real-life experiences and good work habits. He believes that “the program is life-changing if you buy into it. I have met some of the best staff and students working for Job Corps. Everything in the program is hands-on”, and it offers “individual attention from staff for any issues,” which he never experienced until he got to Job Corps.