Gary Job Corps hosts community luncheon to bolster partnerships

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Shortly after the fire at Gary Job Corps, the organization came back swinging and hosted a community luncheon to update the public on what is going on at the center and to strengthen community partnerships.

“We had a fire, and it took out one of our buildings,” GJC Community Relations Coordinator Randolph Goodman said. “We’re like the Phoenix, we will arise even better.”

Gary Job Corps Center Director Norman Turner was unable to attend the luncheon because he was at a National Job Corps Convention. GJC Deputy Center Director Chris Roff spoke on his behalf.

“I’ve been at the job corps for 13 years. These things are always cool because it’s an opportunity for us to get together, break some bread and look to see how we can partner and help each other out,” he said. “There’s a lot of ways to partner with each other: job shadowing, mock interviews and things like that. So if we’re not connected in that way yet, please touch base with one of us.”

Ramon Navarro, GJC recreation manager, said he appreciates the com- munity partnerships that have created opportunities for his students, and he has plenty for any job.

“If you all need any community help setting up, beautification, just anything y’all need … I can provide the hands,” Navarro said. “Whether it’s ten kids or 100 kids, just let me know what y’all need, and I’m happy to help …. But I appreciate what you all do [and] appreciate what you all provide for the students. It’s a big help for them.”

Heather Escalante, GJC Corrections Academy Instructor, said she’s grateful for the community connections that they have made.

“Our kids get to learn and enjoy so much — to have the work based learning opportunities, to be exposed to your pathways. Whether that’s law enforcement, military, whether that’s going to college, whatever the case may be, it is just so wonderful to be involved with the community, and we really enjoy it,” Escalante said. “So we look forward to working with you guys more.”

Ted Groholske, Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership workforce development manager, said that the HCEDP partners with GJC regularly.

“My affiliation with Gary is looking for those opportunities to connect local employers with some of their CTE and their skill set training programs,” Groholske said. “So if there’s a gap in that plumbing and that carpentry and that HVAC program, we can find employers that can jump in there and offer those opportunities to shadow, internships and so on.”

Katherine Glaze, Martindale mayor, said that GJC students just started doing a ride along program with the Martindale Police Department, and she’d like to recruit a student to help in her office as well.

Hays County Commissioner Pct. 2 Michelle Cohen said she’s always interested in expanding business partnerships.

“[I’m] always lucky to have partnerships with any organization,” Cohen said. “I believe in collaboration and partnerships, so I’m always looking for opportunities.”

Hays County Constable Pct. 1 David Peterson said he has a long history with GJC, and his officers are very involved with anything they need.

“I’ve got a lot of history in San Marcos with Gary Job Corps as far as security, going to school there, doing events with them,” Peterson said. “You name it, and we’re involved in it. I’ve got my deputy constables, my chief, my sergeant, my lieutenant, and I have another ten officers that are involved with Gary Job Corps for just about anything that they might need us for.”

For those with a business that could benefit from Career and Technical student assistance, reach out to Gary Job Corps at (512) 3966652.