In any given year, Pinellas County Job Corps supports an average of between 250 to 350 students, with an average of 150 faculty members, including teachers, administrative staff members, facility maintenance, and cafeteria workers.
Last week’s immediate and alarming closing of Job Corps centers across the nation is one more destabilizing government decision – this time impacting millions of presently enrolled and future youth participants, and staff members…including those in Pinellas County.
We are reposting this submission as shared from a student at the Pinellas Job Corps.
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Today, every student, including myself, was called to an emergency meeting after dinner to hear the devastating news that this, and every other Job Corps center, is shutting down.
Job Corps has been a sanctuary to me and millions of other students for as long as I can remember. It has provided opportunities to many in my family, including my siblings and cousins. Coming from a difficult area in Puerto Rico, Job Corps gave us the chance to thrive despite our circumstances. It allowed us to focus on our education, our trade, our goals, and our mental and physical health—without the constant worry of where our next meal would come from or whether we’d have a warm bed at night.
Job Corps hasn’t just helped me and my family—it has supported thousands of young people from all kinds of backgrounds who were struggling to stay afloat. It gave us all a safe haven when we felt like we were drowning. Many of us found shelter here, surrounded by students who supported each other and staff who truly cared—guiding us every step of the way and helping us grow, not just professionally, but personally. We felt seen, valued, cared [for], and loved by everyone here.
I delayed applying for two years because I was ashamed that I couldn’t figure out my future on my own. But as time went on, my shame only deepened, and I still had no direction. When I finally applied, Job Corps quickly sent me a bus ticket and reassured me that starting over is always okay. “A phoenix always rises.”
When I arrived, I was welcomed with open arms. I immediately hit the ground running, taking full advantage of the opportunities available to help me become the person I’ve always wanted to be. But I didn’t even get the chance to fully benefit from it all because of this situation.
I’ve had two incredible months of support, only to have it suddenly taken away. Now I’m left wondering: What do I do next? How will I do it? And how will I afford to keep going?
This isn’t just happening to me—it’s happening to every single student across the country in every Job Corps program. We’ve been told to pack our bags over the weekend. They said they’ll try their best to find us a new home, but this was our home.
Still, we’re not giving up. There’s more to be done. Our community will continue to fight. It’s not over until it’s over.
I have no words, this is too sad, All the billionaires in America could come together and save this Initiative. It is needed.