Written by Tanya Terry, with featured photo by Tanya Terry
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the closure of the Job Corps program throughout the country. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter in New York temporarily halted the
Department of Labor’s plan to shut down Job Corps. A lawsuit alleges closure of the centers is
illegal and requires congressionalm approval.
Previously, the Department of La– bor, under the Trump administration, announced a “phased pause in operations” for Job Corps centers nationwide. The Trump Administration expressed concerns about the Job Corps program’s effectiveness, such as a low graduation rate and incident reports at residential campuses.
Danielle Stevens, a former Job Corps student, told the Courier she was helped greatly by the Job Corps program.
“Children and young adults deserve the opportunity to live, learn and thrive within an environment that accepts their learning style without judgement,” said Stevens.
She added: “Job Corps is a lifeline to the community and provides hope.”
Stevens graduated Flint Genesee Job Corps in 2011, completing the Office Administration trade.
While in the program, she was elected to compete in the National Job Corporation’s student oratory, competing with finalist from various states, being awarded 1st place. During the recent press conference held at Flint Genesee Job Corps this past weekend, Stevens, who has had the opportunity to work in many roles where she has been able to help others after graduating from the program, brought her her first place ribbon and graduation certificate to show how proud she is.
Her daughter, 16-year-old Jazielle Mariah Baldwin, who just applied for the Flint Job Corps Center as well, was disappointed because of the recent activity targeting programs like the Job Corps program.
Stevens told the Courier she recently stepped down from a position at DPSCD (Detroit Public Schools Community District), where she worked and served 3 /12 years as a parent outreach coordinator. She stated her reason for stepping down was to better provide care for one of her children, who has special needs.
Stevens, who is a divorced, single mother also shared the following:
“I have been serving as a motivational speaker for the community. I just recently had an opportunity to speak at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School )in Detroit) for their Black History Program as a parent advocate, where I provided the parents with some fresh Inspiration and resources in the community for food and shelter, baby items, security deposit information as well how to start the IEP-5O4 process for your child.
“I recently spoke at The Children’s Center Program FACES OF TRAUMA as a parent.
“I have also had the opportunity to serve at the Judge Mathis Center with the director of the center, Minne Davis, giving away food boxes, hygiene products, baby shower packages and beauty products for mothers to be.”
“…I love everything about women and children that’s why I do what I do, even if I can’t do it in a more traditional setting.”
At a press conference held at the Flint Genesee Job Corps Center, Mayor Sheldon Neeley, as well as other former Job Corps students and staff expressed their concerns and frustrations. Many of them pointed out that a good percentage of Job Corps students have “no where to go” when and if Job Corps were to permanently close.
Congresswoman McDonald Rivet told the Courier what her next steps would be.
“We did get relief in the court, a stop order that requires that these programs continue to operate while it’s still being battled in the courts,” she said. “In that time, we also are considering next year’s budget. And it’s in that place where this program, the AmeriCorps program and our education programs are top of the agenda for me of what I am advocating for…We will continue to push on the Department of Labor and express our deep outrage that these of the targets of cuts-programs that are helping our communities and actually saving us money in the future.”
McDonald Rivet stated she had spoken with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel that morning.
“We are optimistic that this will hold over for some time, but the fight isn’t over and we’ll continue…”
McDonald Rivet also advised community members, partners, organizations and the faith community in particular on what they could do to support Job Corps.
“Raise your voices,” McDonald Rivet said. “Our community, our nonprofits, our churches, our faith community, residents-we need to raise our voices to members of Congress, out on social media, everywhere. This is unacceptable, and we cannot stop.”
McDonald Rivet pointed out “it’s not just Job Corps that’s under attack.”
“It’s the AmeriCorps program. It’s the food banks. It’s the people who are receiving SNAP benefits and starting to be independent. It’s the loss of Medicaid, people losing their health insurance, which is a cruel agenda-and things that are being eliminated for the purpose of providing tax breaks for the uber wealthy. It’s getting harder here. It’s getting easier for the folks who are probably on a yacht.”
McDonald Rivet said it’s important to fight on behalf of our communities, “but most importantly, fighting on behalf of our children.”
