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 known as America’s largest day of service with 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, Mel Trotter, Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association, God’s Kitchen, The Well House, Midtown Green Parks, Salvation Army and South End Community Outreach Ministries.  The projects included merchandise sorting, landscaping and finishing a Habitat for Humanity build location, grounds clean-up, food pantry stocking & preparing meals for the homeless.