Former Graduate, Oscar Alvarenga reached out to BCL, Jobina Brown to see if he could come back to Woodland and talk to the students about how this program helped him to be where he is today.

Mr. Alvarenga shared with the students that he moved around a lot and in his early teens he got hooked on drugs and alcohol and started to work with an organization doing illegal activities. He told the students that like many of you he never meant to be a “criminal” but he needed to help his family survive and that he didn’t know any better.

In the 9th grade he was expelled from Montgomery Blair High School and was offered no alternative programs so he got involved with more street life and in 2000 he was arrested and was facing several years behind bars until the Judge was forgiving and allowed him to fix his life and suggested to him to enroll in Job Corps.

While at Woodland he was able to earn his GED and computer repair certificate. He also earned student of the “week/month” several times while enrolled. After completing Woodland Mr. Alvarenga went on to the NAVY where he served 4 1/2 years. Currently, he is the senior organizer for Identity-youth serving Montgomery County, PTA President of Summit Hall ES and Cluster Coordinator for Gaithersburg schools.

“Mr. Alvarenga’s testimony hits at the core to the majority of the students that come to the program. Having individuals like him come back and give back to this community is a beautiful thing,” stated Ms. Brown

Mr. Alvarenga left the audience with the lasting words of hope and determination will get you through. Woodland will always welcome their graduates back that want to give some words of encouragement to their students.