07/02/2025
Gary Job Corps provides kids with opportunities for employment as well as housing and a support system, but that program, along with the various job corps across the country are under threat of being shut down by the federal government.
On June 25, a federal judge granted an injunction that will allow the center to continue operations for now. The Cornell Law School website states, “a preliminary injunction is an injunction that may be granted before or during trial, with the goal of preserving the status quo before final judgment.” This decision renders the June 30 termination date null and void.
However, the fate of the nationwide program is still uncertain as the court has not yet made a final decision.
“The injunction ensures that current students can complete their programs while new enrollees continue to arrive, maintaining the center’s role as a cornerstone of workforce development in the region,” according to a press release issued by GJC. “For many students, Gary Job Corps represents not just education, but a pathway out of poverty and toward stable, meaningful careers.”
Gary Job Corps has had a significant impact on the San Marcos community, as well as surrounding cities, providing free and low cost labor to local businesses and providing security and other services for events.
There is also the looming question of what will happen to the students if they are forced to leave.
Randolph Goodman has been working for GJC since 1992 and has become a face long-associated with GJC. Where one can find Goodman, one can generally find Gary cadets providing assistance to the community. In his many years of service, he has seen the cadets complete many local projects.
“We built the community center in Redwood, and we rebuilt the Education Center and Burke Center for Youth. We did the mile-long track around CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital. We did that Irish garden that’s right by the tourism center,” Goodman said.
Over the course of several minutes, Goodman continued to list many other projects that cadets built locally, followed by a long list of events that cadets provide services at, including most local parades, fundraisers for nonprofit organizations, chamber events, races, tournaments, rodeos and about anything else one can think of.
“I preach to the students all the time that ‘we come to serve, not to be served,’” Goodman said.
While the area communities rely on the lowcost labor provided by its students, Job Corp is also turning out many hard working employees to staff its businesses. Goodman listed some of the exceptional graduates of the program such as George Foreman — the heavyweight boxing champ and entrepreneur, Frank Alvarez — a local law enforcement officer who was inducted in National Job Corps Hall of Fame, George Herner — a mechanic and U.S. Air Force veteran of 30 years who was inducted into national Job Corps Hall of Fame, D**o Pates — a Kyle Police Department Officer who was named “Job Corps Star” at the Job Corps 50th anniversary, Dr. MaryAnn Gamble — U.S. Air Force Veteran and medical doctor, and Heather Escalante — a GJC student turned instructor/mentor.
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