Joliet Job Corps Center - Joliet, Illinois

Sadie K.

I went in April of 2024!!!!!!!
this was the worst most unorganized facility I’ve ever been to. It took three months to get in and they didn’t tell me that they didn’t have the programs that I was mainly going for. I had to emails and cal them so many times just to get any communication from them, then when I went on medical leave, my belongings were stolen and my property was damaged. I left the program and it’s been six months and I’m still waiting for my belongings so I’m still waiting to hear back from them. This is a horrible facility. I do not recommend going.

Daimian-Narodwy P.

I went there an quickly to my gain achieved my G.E.D there too here with limited trade skills sos I will like, want A copy an A way too obtain things threw NEW Whine Skins Ministries on Kessler And 38 th in Indianapolis inD 46254 with more Tools too Work 9601 steilacoom boulevard Sw 98498-7212 this is Mourtice Ludwig aka Daimian Bowie Lakewood,Wa so I liked that facility so much like, I would like too continue with supplied help my trade painting meanwhile doing my duty as Peace corps!? Now I need my G.E.D sent to 826 n. Pearl Centralia,WA 98531 p.s. mis-me-mis-ya Daimian Narodwy Bowie Piecpt in Washington.. 😂

God’s S.

I attended Joliet Job Corps in 1997-1998 I’m sure things have changed quite a bit but then again some things remain the same. I will say this, Job Corps was some of the best days of my life!!! Everybody that I know that attended wish they could go back and do it all over again! I was the starting PG on our basketball team, we traveled to different cities to play other Job Corps, it was a blast! I also played on the flag football team. I completed my GED and I also completed two trades Business Clerical and Painting. They took shopping once a month I believe, they took us to arcades, theme parks you name it! They gave us weekend passes to go home and see family, they also allow family to visit you. They helped those who wanted to go to college get admitted all while working on your trade! I stayed on FDR dorm, we built a homemade studio in our room and then performed our song in the big auditorium during a talent show that they had. I can’t say enough about my experiences there. All of the staff cared about the students, from the director, teachers to the RA’s! This is a second chance at life and I promise you it works! The fear of the unknown almost stopped me from going, but looking back it was the best decision that I ever made in my life!!!

Give it a chance and you will love it!

Issah H.

The joliet job corps center was great. I made so many nice friends and I made friends with staff. I don't care about negative reviews but one thing job corps I love was bct construction I loved it I was job corps would except ages up till 28. Love job corps

shamyra S.

I Attended job Corps Back in 2014/2015! I didn’t have a set plan honestly and my experience there was like I’m just here ! I had awesome mentors but it was a lot of messy things going on in there like teachers getting caught with students 🥴 that’s insane and more… I don’t know how it is now” but all I know is I got kick out because a guy there was harassing me and I snapped so I ended up getting my diploma in the mail so I didn’t get a change to actually have graduation ceremony which is sad but hey look at me now license Cosmetologist ‼️ And NO I didn’t get a certification there I got it elsewhere I took a trade in facility maintenance .

Anita G.

I’m hoping that this facility has changed and invested in the children like the center is supposed to be. I’m not gonna go into details in regards to this center. I still get calls from my students and I don’t work there anymore. My students that I had while I was there are still looking for help From the center.

marie H.

My 17 year old son hasn't been there 2 weeks and already was attacked by another student. I learned how ghetto unorganized this facility is and will not be letting my son go back. It is not safe for good children I wouldn't wish this nightmare on anyone My son was told that he couldn't defend himself this facility is not what I was told it was going to be and I would do whatever I have to do to bring this to someone's attention then has authority maybe starting by writing to the Congress office. Another thing I looked into is all the children is just a check My friend that no one has to experience getting a call at 2:00 in the morning like what I have had to go through are you stressed out and overwhelmed worrying about my child being assaulted harassed and bullied by someone he shared a room with and what's more disturbing I don't believe nothing is going to happen someone child is going to get seriously hurt in this place I thank God my son made it home safe even though he still has to go to the hospital for his arm because he was hit with a object and did not have no medical attention on the facility.

Dulcinea P.

Dear internet, friends, family members, teachers, and everyone else,

This is some quick tips for new people, advice for older people there and new people, as well as a true story of my experience there.

First off, Job Corps the program does work. I know it is scary leaving home, and you may not fit in at first. However, the staff and students attending there are amazing. The students further along in trade or academics have all been in your shoes. They all know what it is like to be in the fears you may be facing, and can help you adjust over time. Also, Do NOT be quiet. I know most of the YouTube videos regarding Job Corps tell you to be quiet, but don't. I was the kid who barely spoke a word or showed emotions for 2 weeks. I was the kid who hid in CPP classroom to eat lunch because I found it better than socializing, and I was the kid who hid my inner self from my peers for too long. Most of them can attest to this now a days...

Secondly, I may need to do an introduction, right? Ok. Hi, my name is Dulcinea Polhemus and I started Joliet Job Corps on February 15, 2023. Prior to Starting Joliet Job Corps, I went through college from fall of 2021 to late 2022, as well as having my Highschool Diploma from 2021. I finished my trade and time there at that center on August 28, 2023. I did the Office Administration Trade here, and am now at Advanced Training for Human Services (Left and started on August 29, 2023) located at Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos, Texas. My end goal is to be a Music Therapist and it's going to be a chaotic road ahead, but I will love each step of the way.

Thirdly, Peers of mine still there... You've got this! Keep up the amazing work and soar among imaginable things! New peeps, It may feel weird at first, but you've joined an opportunity that may take you in any direction you wish to go! And you don't have to do what your parents tell you to do! Prime example, my mom tried having me do pharmacy tech... And instead, I got to choose for myself. I got to find what I wanted to do and will be following through with it soon enough.

Fourthly, This place doesn't care about backgrounds in cities. You may be a kid from the bad parts of Chicago, or a kid from Springfield. Regardless of that, we all get treated the same way... With Respect, Honesty, Trust is gained over time, and honestly an understanding. The Communication is vital on all parties because with our it, we wouldn't be there at Job Corps in the first place.

Oh, and I guess I should say some of my flaws to kind of say my flaws... What I struggled with and still am struggling with through and through Job Corps and even after... I have Severe Social Anxiety, I'm on the spectrum of ADHD/OCD/Autistic (Haven't been tested for it yet), and I was the only blonde curly girl when I went there... Crazy, right? Not really, because the community was and still is accepting. Due to my difference, they didn't see me as a rich kid... They saw me as me, and that is something that meant a lot to me.

And now for my last paragraph... Thank each and every teacher, staff member, peer, and my support system who has helped me on this journey thus far and still are supporting me. I probably wouldn't be here as the same person if it weren't for you all! Massive shout out to all of my instructors who helped me understand information when I wasn't getting it, or those whom helped me learn it in another manner because one way taught wasn't making sense to me.

Sincerely,
Dulcinea Polhemus
Former Joliet Job Corps student

P.S. We didn't sign up for Job Corps to be in relationships!

We signed up to spark the ignition,
To inspire our vision,
To illuminate with precision,
To break our own tradition,
And find our own religion.
To face our own mission,
And to seek our true creation.

(I am the original author of that, and I made posters of it on RPH and CJW... I will admit it, I came up with that on the fly because I love music)