Job Corps students make a difference every day

Make A Difference Day is the annual day of service in America. But public service is part of the Alaska Job Corps curriculum every day of the week, month and year. Here is a chronology of Alaska Job Corps service in recent weeks.

Monday

• Leadership Coordinator Roger Gossett took seven Alaska Job Corps Students to Anchorage to work at the Mother Lawrence Foundation. This low-rent, backyard social program in Mountain View feeds, clothes and counsels people on the street. Students helped collect food from various stores, sort and bag food and distribute the food to the hungry.

Without a doubt, the food program makes a huge difference in peoples’ lives. But participating in this particular program made a difference for the students as well. They were eager, gracious and understanding during the full day of sharing. There is also a difference in their outlook, especially after a meaningful debrief. Gratitude for one’s own riches and empathy for the plights of others is the educational aspect of service. Allowing students to give to others helps with self-esteem and sets in motion the ongoing concept of public service.

Tuesday

• Alaska Job Corps Culinary students prepped foods and ingredients in the new kitchen at Mat-Su Senior Services, under the guidance of Chef Jeff. The grand public opening for the Senior Center was officially Wednesday, the students were there on Tuesday preparing tables and a variety of foods for the big event.

• About five miles up the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Alaska Job Corps Center Carpentry students and instructor Tim Swan were working in partnership with the Regional Resource Recovery and Training Park. A complicated blueprint lay on the hood of a truck and the students began construction of a 42-foot by 60-foot building, under direction from Regional Recycle Manager Graydon Murphy and a Coverall technician.

Wednesday

• Four senior culinary students served hundreds of guests at the grand opening of Mat-Su Senior Services. Meanwhile, all Human Services students, under the guidance of instructor Carol Huizar, began preparations for the largest regional fundraiser event for families and children in need. This is in conjunction with the Special Santa and Toys for Tots programs.

Thursday

• A full 42-passenger bus left for Anchorage to attend the annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. After a full day of cultural education and participation, all students and staff, under the guidance of instructor Wendy Delaurentis, stopped at a downtown park and did a “Flash Trash” activity.

No one knew this was going to happen and there was no media attention. But the full group enthusiastically embraced the project to enhance public lands. Much trash was collected and disposed of properly, making a difference in the community.

Friday

• After a very long and cold week, the six carpentry students and Swan completed the construction of a Quonset hut-style building with a Coverall fabric roof, supported by seven metal truss beams and mounted on a concrete slab.

A complicated network of cables, anchor bolts and guy wires connected the entire building. Work involved in this project took four full days for all the workers. This complex project took four, eight-hour days. This is a very visual public service project for the Regional Recycle and Training Park and the community.

Saturday

• Recreation adviser Jeff took a vanload of students to help set up for the large community substance abuse prevention event to kick off Red Ribbon Week. The event was at the AT&T Sports Center.

Sunday

• Overall, 184 recycled cards were prepared by all residential students. These cards are sent to people who have made a difference in their lives. Taking the time to thank people is an employability goal. Cards were sent to veterans, teachers, community leaders, pastors and service personnel. Residential advisers in the dorm guided and debriefed this activity and important social skill.

Monday

• Human Services students began the preparation for the first major fundraiser of the season for the Mat-Su Special Santa Program and Toys for Tots. This program is in its 15th year and assists more than 3,000 children and 1,052 families in need.

Two students worked and shadowed a Superior Court judge for a full day at the Alaska State Courthouse. They helped the judge with charge-count statistics, adjudication, sat on the bench with her and presided at the arraignment of more than 15 individuals, shackled together and wearing identifiable yellow jumpsuits. The students met with attorneys, social workers, therapists, public defenders, law clerks, paralegals, security officers and probation employees, along with Alaska State Troopers and detectives. This will be a future work-base site.

Tuesday

• Culinary students and Chef Mike prepared chicken peanut satay, meatballs, chips and punch for the Division of Vocational Rehab’s open house.

Wednesday

• At the Senior Services Health Fair, four health occupation and human services students assisted. Students assisted seniors around the stations, took blood pressures and recorded vitals.

Thursday

• Culinary students and Chef Mike taught grade-school students about nutrition. At Swanson Elementary, five Alaska Job Corps culinary students lined up in white jackets and helped second-graders make healthy choices. Juice and granola bars were shared as an alternative to sweet treats. The school children colored healthy placemats and gave the Job Corps students a large carrot thank-you letter.