Name:  Thomas O.

Age:  19

Hometown:  born in Santa Clara, Cuba; was living in Cambridge Spring near Erie, PA when he heard about the Pittsburgh Job Corps

Education:  dropped out of 11^th. Grade;  completed his GED at Job Corps

Center:  Pittsburgh Job Corps Center

Thomas is very gifted in math and was taking level 3 college Trig in high school.  He became an unwed father of twins at 16 and missed too many school days working to support the children.  Thomas came from a large family of 32.  18 were biological siblings and the others were adopted.  He has now fathered a second set of twins who are just 4 months old.

Favorite hobbies:  art and music; writes R&B and plays 11 instruments.  Piano is self-taught and he plays the organ at church

Thomas heard about Job Corps through foster care and likes to cook. Completed the Culinary Arts program.

Job Corps is helping him achieve his goals because it has taught him tolerance for others.  

What he likes best about Job Corps is the supportive staff.  Yes, the people; they make it feel like a family where people help each other to stay focused.  “I love this program.”

Advice:  Keep your eye on the prize and work for what you want.  It only took me seven months to complete the program.  Don’t worry about the drama and the dumb stuff.  Being happy is most important.  Job Corps is not for everyone, but rather for those who are looking for education and a way to excel.  If you are not here for the right reason, then do not come.

Future: Thomas wants to attend college in accounting and business.  He is getting married in two weeks.  He has secured a job at the William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.