At the Whitney Young Job Corps Center, there are three sets of siblings who truly enjoys having their brother or sister on campus as they prepare for a life changing career.

Rebecca Neri age 17 and her brother Custavo Neri age 19 are originally from Pueblo Nuevo, New Mexico, but now live in Shlebyville, KY with their parents. Both were non residential students until Rebbecca recently decided to live on campus to experience dormitory independent living. Both are in the process of obtaining high school diplomas. While Custavo is pursuing his pharmacy tech certificiation, the younger Neri is excelling in her carpentry trade and is now the shop foreman. Being that they are in different trades they rarely see each other during the training day, but on occasion will see one another during lunch and after school.

Daijah Grant age 19 and Trinitee Blackmon age 18 are sisters from Moss Point, MS pursuing their certifications in pharmacy tech. Although Grant started in January, Blackmon the younger sibling says she told her big sister about the opportunities at Job Corps. Blackmon started Whitney Young Job Corps in July and said both of their parents graduated from the Earl C. Clements Job Corps Center. Grant is a member of the Student Govement Association (SGA), Peer to Peer Mentoring, participates in Work Based Learning and leisure time employment and enjoys singing in the gospel choir. With a schedule like Grant it is challenging to see your younger sister even when they are on the same hall in the dorms. Forutnately they are in the same trade and can inspire each other as they study and work together.

Charles and Jack Wall are the exact same age because they are twins! At 23 years old the twins decided to depart Dyersburg, TN to conquer another skills trade and pursue a culinary arts career. Prior to coming to the Whitney Young Job Corps Center, they both attended Jacobs Creek Job Corps Civillian Conservation Center, where they obtained welding skills and worked as welders for a few years, but Jack wanted another trade under his belt. Given that Job Corps offers free technical career training Charles agreed and they both tremendously enjoy the culinary trade discipline at the Whitney Young Job Corps Center. They are working at local restaurants in Middletown, KY near campus as part of their Work Based Learning assignments.

“Having a twin brother is great. At first people did not realized we were twins because they did not see us together, then when we were with each other people stopped and took a double look”, said Charles. As with many twins they like to finish each others sentences and now their dream is to work toether as chefs either in the cruise line industry or start their own business.