Cleveland Job Corps Center graduate’s Joseph Jackson and Ronnie Haywood, left for Iowa on February 13, 2018, to begin a new adventure. The gentlemen were accepted to the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) North Central Region: Vinton, Iowa Campus. They will serve ten months in a team-oriented environment working with nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups.

“My plans changed once I came to the Cleveland Job Corps; at first I had no real direction and now I do,” explained Joseph. The twenty-three-year-old received certifications in Medical Office Support, Customer Service, Financial Office Support, and ServSafe. He also exhibited great leadership skill during his participation in several community service projects, and as a dorm leader in the H-Dorm on campus. Joseph is eager to continue his humanitarian efforts in AmeriCorps and plans to attend college once he finishes. Joseph would like to thank all the staff members who mentored, advised and kept him on track.

Ronnie earned his Medical Office Support, Customer Service, ServSafe, First Aid and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from Cleveland Job Corps. “I faced many challenges in life, the biggest one not believing in myself,” expressed Ronnie. “Being at the Cleveland Job Corps has helped me to realize my purpose and I attribute this to the several staff members that continuously mentored and encouraged me.” Ronnie is very excited about his accomplishments and to be serving with AmeriCorps. After finishing ten months as a Core Member, he wants to do another ten months as a Team Leader. Then he plans to attend college to become a Physical Therapist.

AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), an independent federal agency whose mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings together the public, private, and independent sectors to tackle issues that face our youth, our communities, and our cities. (https://www.nationalservice.gov/).