Perkins grad epitomizes determination, dedication, drive
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Calvin Washington now work in security at Marathon Refinery
 | Calvin Washington is a true Job Corps success story |
When Calvin Washington, 22, a recent graduate of the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center, enrolled in Job Corps, he had goals. He wanted to attend Job Corps, receive the best training, relocate and be independent. Calvin achieved these goals and more.
Following completion of the Security & Protective Services career training program at Perkins, Calvin was hired through the Talon Group to work at the Marathon Refinery located in Catlettsburg, KY. While Calvin was elated about having the opportunity to work for such a big company, getting to his new job did test his determination.
The Leisure Time Employment money he saved and the transition money for completing the Job Corps program covered his relocation expenses, but his new apartment in the city of Ashland was 10 miles from the refinery. Without a car or public transportation, he needed to figure out how to get to work each day. SPS Instructor Jeffory Aldrich stepped in by purchasing a bicycle for Calvin. While most people would balk at the idea of riding 20 miles to work and back each day in all kinds of weather and on busy highways, Calvin accepted the challenge and biked to work for three months until he saved enough to purchase a car.
Now, with that car, Calvin is taking a second job doing event security at Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
In addition to his new jobs, Calvin also has accepted additional responsibilities as the newest member of the Center Industry Council at the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center. This council includes employers who represent each trade the center offers and who give their input about what specific training students need to qualify for employment once they complete their training programs. Calvin will attend two meetings a year to help ensure that the Security & Protective Services class is receiving the most current training in the Security field.
Calvin's determination and work ethic, trademarks of his tenure as a student at Perkins when he consistently went beyond requirements to obtain his goals and achieve excellence, make him a true Job Corps success story. Job Corps gave him the skills and opportunities, and Calvin, with his dedication, determination and drive, put them to use to reach the goals he set for himself when he first enrolled in Job Corps. "If not for Job Corps, I would have continued on the wrong path," Calvin says. For him, and for the thousands of other young people Job Corps serves, Job Corps works!"
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Perkins students, staff get into the Christmas spirit
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Students from the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center along with Business Community Liaison Jimmie Slone donned their Santa hats, ready to hit the streets of Prestonsburg for the city's annual Christmas parade on Dec. 12. Students sang Christmas carols while also promoting the Job Corps program by giving out information about the Perkins center to the holiday crowd. After the parade, the annual tree lighting ceremony was held, followed by hot chocolate, cookies and fellowship at The Destination Community Church.
Students always look forward to participating in this event because it puts them in the holiday spirit and gives them a sense of belonging when they are far from their families during the holidays.
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New partnership for Perkins, work-based learning for student
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SPS student Therasis Godfrey now working at Detention Center
Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Security & Protective Services student Therasis Godfrey had much to be thankful for - the opportunities he had been given and a new part-time job to put his new skills to use. Therasis, 22, landed a job at the Floyd County Detention Center in Prestonsburg as a security officer. This new job provides on-the-job training and allows Therasis to save his earnings for the day when he transitions from the Job Corps program to becoming an independent, working young man.
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Deputy Jailer Bill Henagar and Perkins student Therasis Godfrey.
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It also provides a new work-based learning partnership between the Floyd County Detention Center and the Perkins center, giving other students the opportunity to receive meaningful on-the-job training in the security field.
Therasis traveled from his home in Sebring, FL, to enroll in the Perkins Job Corps on Feb. 11, 2014. He said he chose Perkins "because I wanted to be at one of the top Job Corps centers in the nation for the best job training possible."
That's exactly what he got - 288 days of training under his SPS instructor Jeffory Aldrich, certifications, on-the-job training by providing security for public events, performing community service, going on field trips and learning from guest speakers. These opportunities and more are what set the Carl D. Perkins Job Corps Center apart from other training facilities, and just some of the many reasons why Perkins is ranked 5th in the nation out of 125 Job Corps Centers.
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Students earn 'bucks' to shop at SPO Holiday Store
 The Student Personnel Department held its annual Holiday Store for the students on Dec. 11. The Holiday Store was started a few years ago as part of the center's standards of conduct for promoting and recognizing positive behavior on center. Throughout the month of November students have the opportunity to earn SPO Bucks when they go above and beyond in their normal activities, or perform a kind gesture. These SPO Bucks are good only at the Holiday Store.
Perkins staff members donated items for the store, and students who earned SPO bucks could "shop" by picking out items for their friends and family for Christmas. There is no cost to students, and gift wrapping is provided.
The Holiday Store recognizes positive student behavior, and provides a fun way for students to get gifts for their families.
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Hanging up chef coats, rolling up sleeves for charity
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Perkins culinary students lend a hand to area food pantry
On Dec. 8, Culinary Arts Instructor Terry Marrs and his Culinary Class set out early to lend a hand to God's Pantry in Prestonsburg, KY. The students didn't do any cooking on this day; instead they helped unload tractor trailers full of food for the pantry and helped organize the pantry's storage area and warehouse.
 After working all day, students returned to the center to discuss what was accomplished and what lessons were learned. Teamwork, leadership, compassion and empathy were a few of the lessons students experienced, Marrs said.
The mission of God's Pantry is to reduce hunger in Kentucky through community cooperation to make the best possible use of all available resources. The Carl D. Perkins Job Corps was honored to be a part of this mission and will continue to assist the pantry monthly.
Students Austin Dickel and Dacember White work at God's Pantry.
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Spreading Christmas cheer to furry friends
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Perkins students help care for shelter animals
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Perkins student Jessica Stewart spends time with a shelter cat.
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Carl D. Perkins students recently gave some human touch to animals housed in the Floyd County Animal Shelter. There are so many animals housed in the shelter that it is all the staff can do to keep up with the daily demands of cleaning and ensuring all animals are cared for. The Perkins students assisted by taking the animals for their daily walk, cleaning out cages and stalls, and taking photographs and loading them on the shelter's website pet finder.
Some students were brought to tears after befriending some of the animals. Office Administration student Whitney Crew's comment "We have to do something to help these animals," led to some brain-storming between students and staff. They came up with a plan to collect donations of pet food, toys and blankets, and develop a partnership with the shelter so students can do work-based learning at the shelter. Several training programs at Perkins will utilize the shelter for work-based learning, including Carpentry, Facilities Maintenance and Office Administration, beginning in January 2015.
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478 Meadows Branch
Prestonsburg, KY 41653-1501
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