“My name is Jasmine Newell. I am from Detroit, Michigan and I am a proud student at Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center. As a 16 year old, I decided to take control of my life and entered the Job Corps on October 16^th, 2012. Since being here I have taken four GED tests and nearly completed the Office Administration trade.

Back home things were not always positive. I was young and had the wrong type of friends that were doing the wrong things and not making good choices for their futures. I had ambition and knew what was right. I wanted to go to college and to do everything that my mom expected of me. So, to make her proud, I decided to come to the Gerald R. Ford Job Corp Center.

 When I got here, it wasn’t easy but I knew that I had to do this for me. I was in a new place with so many people that I didn’t know. I was worried that I wouldn’t fit in.  As the days went on, I started to get used to everything, but still missed my home and family. I started meeting new friends and forgetting about what I came here for, until I realized that people who came here after me were passing me up. I started going to night school and took all my pretests and passed. Before I knew it, I was taking my state test. I completed and passed three of them.

 I am proud of myself, and happy to be here doing the right thing. I am looking forward to a great future. When I leave, I have no doubt that I can complete college. I have gained the strength to overcome failure and have been successful so far. Giving up is not an option. Without Job Corps, I would not be able to share my story, and may not have made it this far.

 Thank you to all Gerald R. Ford Job Corp Center staff and MINACT for your hard work, but mostly for believing in me.”

-Jasmine Newell

Jasmine Newell, Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Student