Matthew Lopez was the Valley Courier Editor’s pick for a front page article. The article described Lopez’s career at Collbran Job Corps and how his training has prepared him for the local economy as he returns to his hometown of Alamosa.

     Lopez graduated from Job Corps in June where he successfully completed the cement mason pre-apprenticeship course. He also earned the highest leadership award at the center, a gold coat, and a place in Collbran Job Corps’ Hall of Fame.

     Along with leadership positions in his dormitory, vocation, and peer counseling,  Lopez volunteered on Special Olympics, Country Jam, Make-A-Difference-Day and community clean-up efforts.

     Lopez anticipates finding work in his trade or in the broader construction field.

     Collbran Job Corps student, Jeromie Garoutte, was selected to be a Residential Advisor at Junior Achievement’s Business Week, at the Johnson & Wales University campus in Denver this summer. The apprenticeship-style program is designed to teach high school students the concepts of business, entrepreneurship and leadership. During the week-long immersion camp, 171 students live on the campus where they attend lectures, network with business leaders and work on one of three projects.

            The projects included creating a new smoothie flavor for Jamba Juice, developing a “don’t text and drive” campaign for State Farm and engineering a gaming app for Microsoft. For each of the projects, students had to develop a marketing strategy, a budget, create ways to measure the results and present to a panel of judges. The winners of the Jamba Juice challenge will have their flavor in all metro-Denver locations and receive 20 percent of the smoothie’s sales.

            Residential Advisors (RA) have to be over 18 and display leadership qualities. RA’s are on active duty from 6 p.m. until midnight and one night each RA is on duty from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. The first night of Business Week RA’s judge an ice breaker at which students create something out of “junk” provided by Junior Achievement. RA’s patrol the dorms, constantly interacting with students, throughout the week and earn $400.

            Garoutte said his Collbran Job Corps training prepared him, “Knowing what needs to be confronted and what doesn’t need to be confronted.”           

                Denny Clark, Volunteer Manager, Junior Achievement, Rocky Mountain, Inc., and Supervisory to the RA’s, said, “Given the RA’s informal relationship with the students throughout JA’s Business Week, Jeromie was able to interact with many students in a very positive nature.”

     Grand Junction’s Peace Officers Academy, normally a class adults take, was turned into a one week camp for 15 youth recently, with two Collbran Job Corps students participating. Kayla Barrett and Joshua Swetnam spent a week of their Job Corps summer break at the class getting a first hand look at the intense process. 
     Students visited the Grand Junction police; with officers at the Mesa County sheriff’s office; and spent a day with Grand Junction’s district attorney, getting to see how a case is tried in court.

     They also learned how to do building searches for high risk suspects, and classroom work on how the bomb squad and swat team operate.

     In addition students saw what it takes to build a major case, and how that’s different from popular television shows. Barrett and Swetnam said it was a great experience.

http://www.nbc11news.com/localnews/headlines/Youth-learning-life-lessons-Peace-Officer-training-163506186.html

     Eight members of Collbran Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center’s SGA heard President Obama speak August 8th at Grand Junction, Colorado High School. Jeff Thompson, Mattisha Mercado, Dalaun Shields, Anthony Lambiase, Alexis Oquinn, Jeromie Garoutte, Michael Brown and Zachery Lock described it as an opportunity of a life time.

     Following the speech KKCO Channel 11, Grand Junction’s NBC affiliate, interviewed all eight students live. Students commented positively on President Obama’s views on the economy, taxes, women’s rights and education.

     Collbran Job Corps’ relationship with members of Senator Mark Udall’s Grand Juction office and the Kids Voting Mesa County initiative helped secure tickets for the event.

www.nbc11news.com/…/KKCO-providing-coverage-of-President-Ob

   The Plateau Valley Times recently published a full page story that featured August graduates of Collbran Job Corps.

   A photo of the 11 graduates accompanied the article, which included quotes from four of the graduates. “As a group, the graduates overwhelmingly expressed that some of the greatest lessons they learned at Job Corps were of responsibility and respect.”

    Sheri Cogley, Regional Representative from U.S. Senator Michael Bennet’s office was the commencement speaker.

   An article honoring Collbran Job Corps student Patrick Coleman was published in the Plateau Valley Times recently.

   Coleman’s Job Corps career was outlined in the article, describing his realization that following moving out on his own, and working at a landscaping job after dropping out of high school, he couldn’t make ends meet.

   Two years at Collbran Job Corps saw Coleman succeed in earning a high school diploma and a trade in painting. He received honors and earned numerous leaderships at the center including: Education Leader, Recreation Leader, Top 5 in Dorm, Sergeant-at-Arms and Vice President of Pineridge Dorm, SGA representative, Peer Counselor and Gold Coat member (the most prestigious student leader group on the center). He was active in Kids Voting in Grand Junction, volunteered several times for security at County Jam and Rock Jam, participated in Collbran Clean-Up, and traveled with his trade to Camino Real, New Mexico where he worked on a U.S. Forest Service building for two weeks. Last May Coleman attended a leadership conference in Utah to develop skills to help improve the center.

   Following graduation Coleman plans to enlist in the Navy and take advantage of the college program, pursuing sports journalism.

Collbran Job Corps students are interested in learning more about candidates and participating in the voting process. With that in mind, students recently invited Jana Bingham Gerow, candidate for Mesa County Commissioner, and Timothy Menger, Libertarian Party candidate for House District 54, to the center.

Following the visit Gerow wrote, “I had heard good things over the years, and experienced the responsible help of some students while working on a Habitat for Humanity Women Build with my staff several years ago. Still the site visit has truly brought my appreciation up to a new high level. Most outstanding was the courtesy, knowledgeable and responsible students who toured us and shared their projects with us. The facilities were also impressive, with a variety of training centers for various trades and education that surpass some at universities I have seen. It was a privilege to get a closer look at this great success story.”

   When Gove Aker, Center Director, Collbran Job Corps, asked Russ Sibert, Collbran Job Corps’ Welding Instructor, to conceive a means to showcase a brass plaque commemorating 100 years of the existence of the U. S. Forest Service that would protect the plaque from theft and have a meaningful impact, Sibert went to work. He designed a unique tree sculpture and, with assistance from his welding students/employees, built the sculpture. The sculpture is titled “Old Growth.”

   The plaque rests in a representation of a tree stump, complete with cut branches and bark. Sibert and his students put in nearly 100 hours of labor and used 100 pounds of welding rod.

   Transporting the sculpture in a small trailer with cement and rocks, 14 students, Sibert, Aker, and Ron Collins, Work Programs Officer, traveled 2-1/2 hours to the Na Gach Amphitheater, San Juan National Forest, for the “tree” planting. Sibert said the sculpture was planted with moss rock at the bottom to represent ”strength and stability.”

   Following the planting they all enjoyed a picnic featuring Sibert’s barbecued bratwurst. Sibert said, “It was excellent to have the opportunity to build something that will be a part of God’s country for many years to come.”

   When Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan spoke at Colorado Mesa University five Collbran Job Corps students were there with Rachel Nelson, Grand Mesa High School/Collbran Job Corps Social Studies Instructor. Students have been learning about the candidates and the importance of being informed voters in their Social Studies class.

   While the students didn’t personally meet Ryan they did meet and speak with Senator Steve King.

   The students’ enthusiasm for learning and participating in elections includes 26 students who will work as election judges in Mesa County November 2nd and 6th.

Twenty-six Collbran Job Corps students were sworn in as Election Judges, serving November 2^nd and 6^th.

    Heather Bennett, Supervisory Guidance Counselor, reported that when students arrived for duty in Clifton, Colorado, a town of approximately 21,000 residents, local volunteers from previous years said, “I’m so glad it’s the Collbran Job Corps students.” Pam Hawkins said, “This was hands down the best group of workers we have ever had. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. Thank you!”

    Andrew Lugar, CISCO Networking student, quickly stepped in when an internet technology issue occurred, earning praise from volunteers. Referring to how quickly Lugar solved the glitch, Gove Aker, Center Director, said, “It just goes to show our students are ‘digital natives’.”

    Collbran Job Corps student Samantha McClure assisted in reloading and returning functionality to a voting receipt machine. Following her work as an Election Judge, student Kelsey Wall said, “A lot of people were energetic; they wanted to vote. It was exciting. We were there getting the job done.”

    Sue Tuffin, Regional Director, Mesa County Workforce Center, volunteered in Fruita, Colorado, where another group of Collbran Job Corps students served as Election Judges. Tuffin said, “The Collbran Job Corps students were awesome. They arrived before the doors opened at 7 a.m. and didn’t leave until after the doors closed at 7 p.m. They didn’t take breaks…instead they grabbed a snack and kept working.”

    Tuffin said when computers went offline Collbran Job Corps students restored the connections without delay. “We were short of people (volunteers); the Collbran students were invaluable to the process…the whole process ran very smoothly.” Tuffin continued, “Collbran Job Corps students were professional and cheerful, greeting people and thanking them for voting.”

    The students were accompanied by Aker; Bennett; Rachel Nelson, Grand Mesa High School/Collbran Job Corps Social Studies instructor; Ron Collins, Work Programs Officer; Doug Satterfield, Center Standards Officer; and Ed Satterfield, Residential Living Officer.

   Collbran Job Corps’ Office Administration Technology and CISCO Networking students enjoyed Ground Hog Shadow Day at Grand Junction’s Doubletree Hotel. OAT student Andrea Montreal said hotel managers talked with students about the hospitality industry; gave students advice regarding approaching the job process; what resumes should contain; and how important a first impression is, including body language and appearance.

   Marilyn Anderson, OAT instructor, said, “This is the fourth year the Grand Junction Doubletree has participated in our National Ground Hog Job Shadow day,” describing the event as “…a truly class act.” CISCO students reported to their instructor, Elaine More, “The staff was very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.”

   Thank you to our partners at the Doubletree Hotel.

Collbran Job Corps has a student representative attend the monthly district school board meetings.  On 11/4/15, the two students who designed and showed a power point for the 9/11 commemoration, presented their power point.  The board was very impressed and hopefully will incorporate it into the school curricula.

On 11/09/15, Collbran Job Corps student representative to the district school board attended the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASBE) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Alexis Chavez along with a student representative from our local high school, as well as school board members spent two days at this conference.

Alexis shared her experience at the Collbran Job Corp Monday assembly.  She met students from high schools all over the state of Colorado.  She spoke to the group about the Collbran Job Corps on site high school, Grand Mesa High School.  Alexis said students were impressed with our program and had lots of questions about Job Corps.  Alexis said she enjoyed  meeting new people and it was very educational-as well as fun!

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Collbran Job Corps Center students worked long and hard on presenting the play “Fiddler on the Roof.”  The play had two dozen actors and stage producers/directors.  There were a few non-JC students in it, as well.  Practice under English teacher Mrs. Suzanne Gregory becane two months ago.  There were lots of line, song, dances and accents to learn.

The play was presented at the Plateau Valley High School for four performances.  It was well attended by students, staff, and community.  Our students worked hard on all aspects-scenery design, lighting, sound, and scene changes.  Everyone who attended seemed to enjoy themselves but our students had the most fun of all.

Collbran Job Corps participates in the national clean-up days under its various titles such as “Make a Difference Day”, Arbor Day, or Earth Day.  Each staff  member has a team of students assigned to them.  The teams go out and do various activities for the town such as highway clean-up, sweeping the streets and sidewalks in town, raking leaves-anything to help our community.

After the clean-up, the center has a barbeque and depending on the weather, play games.  Today the staff and students played dodge ball.  It is a lot of fun to play with and against staff.  During warmer weather, the center plays softball and volleyball.  It is a fun but productive day and the town really appreciates the help.

Collbran Job Corps Center honors our veterans every year at a Monday assembly.  This year, under the direction of Ms. Evonne Stites and Ms. Christi Laird, all veterans on center were honored by receiving a commemorative photo and biography of the veteran’s service.  Assembly opened with patriotic music and a short speech by our center director, Gove Aker.

The veterans sat on special chairs in the front.  Students from the Intergroup Relations committee read the biography of each veteran,  The veteran then stepped forward to receive a plaque with their picture and biography on it.  Everyone got a standing ovation.

The center recognizes its veterans every year.  We have twenty veterans on center and countless former students who have joined the military.  Our veterans have served from Viet Nam to the latest middle-east battles.  We are proud of all of them and honoring them yearly is a small token of our regard.

Collbran Job Corps Center has an excellent relationship with the local high school  Future Farmers of America (FFA) is a very active program at the high school.  Mrs. Ruth Shepardson and FFA students (including two JC students), did a presentation about FFA during Monday assembly on 11/30/15.

There was a excellent power point describing all FFA is involved in.  Not only does FFA teach young people about farming, ranching and agriculture, it provides education in areas of business, food production and distribution as well as classes in botany, public speaking,  merchandising, and advertising.  Many JC students are now interested in joining FFA and will start attending meetings in January 2016.  This is another way Collbran Job Corps is involved in promoting the Department of Agriculture’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” programs.

Collbran Job Corps Center has been affiliated the Mirant and Children Services for seven years. The center has an important place in this vital, non-profit organization.  Mesa County is a large agricultural area with many migrant workers brought in for agricultural work.  During these busy seasons, our bi-lingual students and staff help to cook and serve at least one meal per week.  Students also help to sort donations to the free food pantry.  In addition, our students have acted as interpreters for documents and surveys the workers received.  The center has repaired bicycles, done maintenance, raised emergency funds and helped with end of season farewell dinners.

Monthly, at least eight students and one to two staff go and help make tamales.  Selling tamales is the main source of revenue for this program.  The cook and the administrator get all the ingredients ready.  The students, staff, and cook work a production line and alt0gether, students have made up to 1,ooo tamales at a time!

Our students enjoy going to Migrant Services.  Many come from families with similar backgrounds and they identify strongly with the laborers who really do work hard.

Collbran Job Corps Center had its quarterly blood drive.  The center prepares by posting announcements throughout the center the week before.  The Health Advocates speak to their dorms and sign students up to donate.  The St. Mary’s Bloodmobile arrives at 0900 and starts to register staff and students.  The Health Advocates retrieve students at their allotted time and help the Bloodmobile techs by running errands and helping keeping the flow of students running smoothly.

The December blood drive had 60 participants.  Blood collections equalled 45 pints.  St. Mary’s Bloodmobile workers always tell us how much they enjoy coming and are always pleased with the high participation.

Collbran Job Corps Center received a check for $10,508.00 from Grand Valley Rural Power.  The center has worked hard to save energy by turning off lights, computers and other sources of electricity when not in use.  This check is a rebate on energy savings.  It was presented to the center at Monday morning assembly by a representative of Grand Valley Rural Power and Sylvia Spangler, member of the Collbran Job Corp Community Relations Committee as well as a former board president of Grand Valley Rural Power.

The center works hard on energy savings and recycling.  This was a very concrete measure of all the center’s work.