Every year, the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center joins with Job Corps centers across the nation to celebrate Make A Difference Day.  This year the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center had roughly 150 students participate in community improvement projects which benefited 10 local organizations.

Make A Difference Day is an annual event held on the fourth Saturday in October.  Known as America’s largest day of service, each year millions of people simultaneously help others.  Community service is a critical part of the Job Corps experience.  Service projects allow Job Corps students to give back to their communities, practice the skills they are learning while in the program, and build self-esteem, teamwork, and leadership skills.

The Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center students and staff worked on a variety of community projects throughout the Grand Rapids area for Make A Difference Day.  The community organizations partnering with the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center were Habitat for Humanity, In the Image, Feeding America, the YWCA, Kentwood Parks and Recreation, Home Repair Services, and the City of Grand Rapids.  The projects included merchandise sorting, landscaping and finishing details at three area Habitat for Humanity build locations, health screening for seniors, grounds clean-up, food pantry stocking & decorating dinner sacks used to help fight childhood hunger.