Celebrating Diversity: Boxelder Job Corps Center's First Annual Native American Heritage Day!

The Boxelder Job Corps Center celebrated the First Annual Native American Heritage Day on October 8, 2009. Guests speakers included Donovin Sprague of Crazy Horse Memorial, Terra Houska with Black Hills National Forest and Chief David Bald Eagle--a World War II veteran, advocate and actor! Prospective students from throughout the state attended the event, and the day was ended with a traditional Native honor song in honor of Job Corps students and their quest for education.

The event also received great press! To read the feature story in the Rapid City Journal, visit: http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/article_f0a3ec3c-b926-11de-894a-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

A special thanks to all organizations that participated in this fantastic event! We look forward to doing it again in 2010!

Congratulations to the September 2009 Kicking Horse Job Corps Graduates!

Top Row:

LaDoya Valikoula, Felicia McLean, Phelicia Begay

Middle Row:

Tress Big Day, Jasmille Gilpin

Bottom Row:

Tara Coleman, Kaylee Hollm, Samantha Murphy

For more information about the Kicking Horse Job Corps Center in Ronan, MT, visit http://kickinghorse.jobcorps.gov/Home.aspx or call 1-800-733-JOBS today!

Photo collage courtesy of Jessica Clairmont, KHJCC

They're Hired!

We Proudly recognize the following Job Corps graduates on their job placements and wish them the best in their new careers!

Roberta Lacota- Kicking Horse Job Corps- Patient Care Technician at Rapid City Regional Hospital

Richard Blacksmith- Boxelder Job Corps-Chef at Winner Regional Health Care

Justin Vargas-Boxelder Job Corps- Chef at Regency Custer State Park Ventures

Maria Foster- Boxelder Job Corps-Chef at Xanterra/Mt. Rushmore

Dennis Livingston- Boxelder Job Corps- Production Assistant at Duhamel Broadcasting

Aaron Gregory- Boxelder Job Corps- Welder at Steve’s Welding & Repair

Kiawe Walker- Boxelder Job Corps- Painter at Southern Hills Painting

Taira Hansen- Boxelder Job Corps- Dietary Aide at Vermillion Assisted Living Center

Save the Date!

The Boxelder Job Corps Center will host the First Annual Native American Day on Thursday, October 8, 2009. Tribal agencies and prospective Job Corps students are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact Holly Sortland at 605.341.3584 or email sortland.holly@jobcorps.org We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to the June 2009 Boxelder Job Corps Graduates!

Richard Blacksmith- High School Diploma & Culinary Arts
Aaron Gregory-Welding
Dennis Livingston- High School Diploma & NCT
Kendra Luther- Culinary Arts

Justin Vargas- High School Diploma & Culinary Arts
Abraham White Weasel- Carpentry & Welding

Giving Back: Job Corps Students and Staff Help Build Community Park

Over 100 students and staff from the Boxelder Job Corps Center participated in the building of the Vickie Powers Memorial Park in north Rapid City--a one of a kind children's park that is being built solely by volunteers from the local community. The park is also unique because it was designed by area children. Job Corps students and volunteers from throughout the community helped with the construction of the playground and recreation equipment. Park organizers hope the park will be completed within the coming week. For more information on the Vickie Powers Memorial Park project, visit: http://www.vppark.com/

Boxelder Job Corps Students Are Getting Wise About Money!

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of the Black Hills (CCCS) has partnered with the Boxelder Job Corps Center to teach students to be smart about finances. Staff from CCCS instruct students on the "Credit When Credit is Due" curriculum--teaching students the basics of managing money and credit--from understanding payroll taxes to taking out a car loan. The course also teaches valuable lessons on using credit wisely.

Jeff Hayward, Career Transition Coordinator at Boxelder, says that the CCCS classes provide students the tools and knowledge to become responsible spenders--which is especially important in a tough economy.

On behalf of Job Corps and McNeil Technologies, we'd like to thank the CCCS staff for their work with our students. For more information on CCCS and their community services, visit http://www.cccsoftheblackhills.com/