MJCC staff and students had a pleasant surprise on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 when former graduate, Michael Ford, stopped by the center for a visit. Ford, a 1983 graduate of the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center proudly walked the grounds and reminisced of the days and place he once called home. Ford graduated from Ferris High School in Jersey City, NJ in 1980. He attended one year of college and then enrolled into Job Corps program to take up the Heavy Equipment Operator trade.

During his enrollment at MJCC, he came president of the honor dorm, president of security, captain of the basketball team, and co-captain of the football team. One week after graduating from the program, Ford became employed with Dext, Inc., as a front-in loader operator. After that, he was employed as a diesel mechanic for fourteen years at Bender Machinery Company. During that time is when he started his own business, We Care Housing, which he has been running for the past fifteen years and consists of thirteen properties.

Ford spoke to the students during an assembly and shared with the current students that he came to Job Corps with one goal in mind, to become successful, to take care of himself and his life-long love without the help of anyone else. He repeatedly shared how Job Corps was a major part of his success and the students should be proud of the many certifications and nice amenities the Muhlenberg Job Corps Center has to offer.

Ford, along with his wife Denise of 31 years, now lives in the Poconos Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania. When leaving from his visit, Ford said “thank you Mrs. Robinson, this visit made my year, I would not be where I am today, without the help of the instructors and guidance counselors of the Job Corps program. The Center looks great and the staff and students should be proud of the work being done here for today’s youth. Amazing.”