San Jose Job Corps Students meet with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.

On May 20, 2011, San Jose Job Corps Center hosted a Round Table Meeting and Press Conference for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of  California Melinda Haag, City of San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, and members of the mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force.  The purpose was to discuss anti-violence efforts as part of a National Forum for Youth Violence Prevention. 

Mr. Holder met with several Job Corps Students to hear firsthand the issues young people and their families face in battling the lure of gangs and violence.  He said their stories were “heart wrenching” especially when he heard from Angel Miranda-Linares, a 19 year old attending San Jose Job Corps that “It’s easier to get into a gang than applying to a job.”

Angel Miranda-Linares came to San Jose Job Corps to obtain his High School Diploma, which he completed in March of this year.  He has also completed Career Technical Training in  Retail Customer Service in which he obtained  National Certifications in Customer Service and Sales  through the National Retail Federation Foundation.  He is currently enrolled in the advanced training program, Transportation Communications Union (TCU).

Angel is the President of the Student Government Association and has also served as an Intern at California Senator Elaine Alquist’s district office.  “I hope to one day be a congressman.”

Mr. Holder says young people involved with gangs deserve a better future and “points” to Miranda-Linares as “an ambassador of hope.”