The closure of Job Corps centers across Chicago and the nation has left many young people in a state of uncertainty, with the Paul Simon Chicago Job Corps Center on the city’s Southwest Side set to shut its doors with minimal notice due to a federal funding pause.
This abrupt decision affects hundreds of students, many of whom may not be able to finish their training, and it raises the specter of homelessness for those who reside on the campus.
“These past few years have been tough years for young adults. We’ve all been struggling to try to find our place in the world,” expressed Isaac Jules Ray, a carpentry student at the center.
The Paul Simon Chicago Job Corps Center had provided essential resources and support for teens and young adults in need.
Cyvon Carey, another carpentry student, described the program as a lifeline: “I came in looking for a sense of purpose and a sense of direction. I was just asking for a second chance, you know, something else to do, something better to do. And this opportunity came up.”
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a phased closure of operations by June 30, 2023, amid claims that the program was running at a $140 million deficit last year, was not cost-effective, and had a low graduation rate.
However, both students and staff refute these assertions.
“I’m taking my state boards tomorrow,” said Areeya McNeil, a nursing assistant student, highlighting her readiness to enter the workforce.
The Job Corps program offers free training in various fields, including carpentry, security, pharmacy tech, and more, targeting young individuals aged 16 to 24.
“I feel almost that this is not real. It’s almost as if, like, in my experience, I’ve been hit down by society. … And then now, during the second time, because I am completing my trade, … I’m not going to be right back out next week, couch surfing again,” stated Brant Ward, a 23-year-old student on the verge of finishing his trade.
The repercussions of this closure extend beyond the students.
Numerous staff members may be left jobless, leading to increased concern over the future of the young people they have supported.
A pharmacy tech student, 21-year-old Jennifer Duarte, expressed her disappointment: “I was really excited to find a trade and everything, but now it’s closing down. It’s going to be so much harder.”
According to Jeremiah Brown, a security program student, the closures are not just administrative decisions but deeply impact lives.
“At first, we had till the end of June. Then, we had until June 6, and then they told us June 13, and that was back to June 6 again, and that people have to move out. Some people are homeless,” he said.
Students have reported a significant decline in enrollment since the announcement, with numbers falling from 187 to just 134 as many students are forced to leave the program by the end of the week.
In this context, the bonds formed among students are more crucial than ever.
McNeil described how the program created a sense of family among students, as she initiated activities like manicure Mondays and field days to foster camaraderie.
“I can’t imagine who or where I’d be before I came, … or if I hadn’t come to Job Corps, because, like I said, I learned a lot about myself, leadership, and getting people together,” she said.
Despite the looming closures, students like Carey emphasize the importance of perseverance.
“It allows me to stand proud and keep moving forward because I took pride in what I did and the growth I had,” he remarked, highlighting a spirit of resilience.
In a final twist of events, Job Corps has received a minor extension until June 13 for students currently residing at the center, offering a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty.
Moreover, Job Corps has announced intentions to sue the U.S. Department of Labor over the disruptive closures, which are set to impact thousands of young lives nationwide.
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