(JACKSONVILLE, Florida) The Jacksonville Job Corps Center is proud to showcase their Faces of Success series.  This series is designed to showcase success stories of Jacksonville Job Corps graduates.  Student graduate from the program weekly but a formal graduation is held twice a year.  This years’ graduation will be held at Edward Waters College at the Jenkins Gymnasium on Feb. 3, 2011.

 Recent graduates of the program include Mr. Robert Thornton, former SGA President.  He was an exemplary leader and a dedicated student.  Robert recently graduated from the JJCC with a certification in HVAC.  Before leaving the center he signed with the United States Army and will be deployed May 22, 2012.  His background is similar to many of our students at Job Corps, students who are in search of an opportunity to improve their lives.

A native of Cairo, Georgia, Thornton credits his inspiration and motivation to making something of his life to Mr. Anthony Reid, his HVAC Instructor at Job Corps and his mentor Ms. J. Manning.  “I’m truly proud to day that Job Corps changed my life, because of Job Corps I have a future….I have a chance to make a life for myself and my family,” states Robert Thornton.

Leon Key is another Jacksonville Job Corps success.  Leon recently graduated as a Certified Computer Technician.  He has also enrolled in college and has been hired by United Parcel Service.  UPS recently became an employer partner with Jacksonville Job Corps Center and is willing to assist our students who are attending college and seeking part-time employment an opportunity to move forward.  Leon was awarded a full scholarship to the E3 Development Series for entrepreneurs; a 24 week course which takes aspiring entrepreneurs through all aspects of business. The course is valued at $1800.00. The course was titled “So You Want To Be an Entrepreneur.”

Key received his high school diploma from the Foundation Academy which is located in Jacksonville Beach.  Leon decided to attend JJC to become certified in Computer Technology after comparing the cost of the program (14,000.00) to local colleges and decided that Job Corps had everything he needed to acquire the certification.

 Jacksonville Free Press