226 Job Corps graduates head into a bright future

July 23, 2010 was a beautiful sunny day filled with hope and joy in Collinwood as the Job Corps Academy celebrated the graduation of 226 students. Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training. Job Corps' mission is to attract eligible young people, teach them the skills they need to become employable and independent, and place them in meaningful jobs or further education.

Hundreds of family and friends filled the sunny auditorium before the graduates entered, and the ceremony began. After graduate Leila Robinson sang the Star Spangled Banner, the Career Services Director, Mrs. Jennifer Morrison, gave a moving opening speech. She is clearly loved by all of the students who call her “Grandma.”

Mistress of Ceremonies, Dr. Michelle, gave an encouraging speech before she announced the special guest, Dr. Blaine Griffin, who is the Director of the City of the Cleveland Community Relations Board. Mr. Griffin spoke about the motivation it takes to pursue an education, and how they have all “reached the next level of competition.” He also quoted Tupac Shakur, saying that “through whatever you see, through all the rain and the pain, you gotta keep your sense of humor. You gotta be able to smile through all this bull--"  The graduates cheered their response.

Stephanie Coburn gave the Honorary Student Address that got got all the graduates cheering with the line “Just like there’s more to Cleveland than Lebron James, there’s more to you than Job Corps."

Before the presentation of diplomas, intervention specialist, Mrs. Joyce Henry, sang an amazing rendition of “Keep The Dream Alive” that brought everyone to their feet, and brought some to tears.

After Mrs. Morrison presented all of the diplomas, the ceremony finished with congratulatory remarks by Mr. Clark Hayes and acceptance of graduates by Dr. Lora Davis-Allen. Everyone headed outside for cake and refreshments, where everyone had a smile on their face as they celebrated the ending of school at Job Corps, and the beginning of a better future. 

For more information about Job Corps visit www.jobcorps.gov