The Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center’s Quarterly Community Relations Council Meeting was held on Wednesday, December 7th in the newly renovated 2nd Floor Lecture Hall of the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center.  More than 70 people attended the event that recognized Center volunteers, Work-Based Learning sites, Employer Partners, Staffing Agency Partners, the Traveling Grandparent Program, and student success stories.  Guests were treated to a sit-down meal prepared and served by Culinary Arts students while staff and students presented awards to the community members in attendance. 

The following community organizations and business were recognized at the event:

2011 Work Based Learning Sites of the Year:
Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
Mel Trotter Ministries
Chez Olga
St. Mary’s Nutrition Services Department

2011 Employer Partner of the Year:
Ebels Construction
Nevilles Electric Service
Speedway
TGI Fridays

2011 Staffing Agency of the Year:
Gill Staffing
Employment Plus
J2S Health Force Staffing
Snelling Search
Employment Group

Special Recognitions for their partnership with the Center:
Feeding America
Junior Achievement

Honored for their personal contributions to the Center were the following Traveling Grandparents:
Cecile Chilton
Shirley Sheard
John Walton
Josephine Curtis
John Curry
Jodee Bishop
Joe Jones

Congratulations to all the 2011 winners and thank you for your continued support of the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center!

Center Director Jeffrey L. Jablonski presents one of the 2011 Work Based Learning sites of the Year awards to Ms. Olga Benoit, owner of local resturant Chez Olga.