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Show DAVIS COUNTY CLIPPER, DAVIS REFLEX JOURNAL, MARCH 6, 1985 page two Clearfield J ob Corps Producing Results, Director Believes By TOM HARALDSEN - CLEARFIELD During World War II, it was part of a Naval Supply Depot that helped the nation defend its freedom. Today, a portion of it is serving a similar mission-preserv- ing the American way of opportunity for all, rgardless of background. THE CLEARFIELD Job Corps Center, which occupies 83 acres of the Freeport Center, maybe one of Davis Countys best kept secrets, mainly because it is not commonly understood. Richard Quimby, director of community relations for the center, said he believes that if the public really knew the good the center is doing and has done, it would overcome many misconceptions about what Job Corps means. There has been a resentment towards social programs as a whole for some time in many parts of the country. Job Corps is one program that has survived long after many others have died because it has produced results, he stated. MR. QUIMBY said the Clearcenter is the third largest of the 106 centers nationwide. It has an annual payroll in excess of $7 million, employs more than 440 staff, administrators, counselors and instructors, and currently trains nearly 1500 students from throughout the country. It has a success ratio, determined by placement of its students, of well over 90 percent, and purchases more than $6 million annually in goods and supplies from local businesses. So why has it become an enigma of sorts? There have been so many social programs instituted by the fedfield eral government, citizens often have a hard time distinguishing one from another. But again, I feel what separates us is what our prog- ram has returned to society-train- ed youth who have direction and proven success, he stated. THE CLEARFIELD center was opened in 1966 during the Lyndon B. Johnson presidency, when the national program was begun. The idea then is the same as now, to take underprivileged youth, almost always from poverty-levhomes, and train them in vocations they can later use to contribute to el society. But we are not just a vocational Mr. Quimby added. We are a d attack on poverty and unemployment. We concentrate on vocational, academic and social skills required by future employers and fellow workers. center, three-pronge- ALTHOUGH THE program now has students from many states, the feeder areas" are Colprimary orado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the west coast. Only about two percent of the centers students come from Utah. Thats intentional, because we are a facility that expects and requires certain commitments from the students we accept. We dont want students who might decide to go home for the weekend and not come back, Mr. Quimby said. AND SELF-containme- nt is an accurate way to describe the center. It houses 3 buildings, made up of dormitories, administration, dining halls, a gymnasium, an infirmary, classrooms and vocational training shops. The center is carefully and closely supervised. 1 Unlike the commonly held belief that JobCorps are for juvenile delinquents and undesirable youth, which Mr. Quimby feels most people believe, students are in many cases extremely bright, talented teenagers who just need a chance to prove themselves. STUDENTS are recruited nationwide through local state employment centers, such as Utah Job Service. They must meet certain criteria regarding family income, personal background and interests. Once accepted, students sign an agreement promising commitments to center rules, regulations and educational expectations. Touring the center is not unlike touring a small private college or university, with the obvious exception that vocational skills are the biggest priority. But they are not the only priority, as Mr. Quimby is quick to point out. OUR CLASSROOM work is at least as important here as it is in any other educational facility. Students may complete their high school diploma work (through Davis County Adult High School), RELAXING get a GED, or even receive college credit through Weber State College, he said. Vocational education encompasses areas of auto mechanics and body repair, machinery, welding, small engine repair, building maintenance in all categories, clerical, printinr, food services, and health occupations. Students are also instructed in English, leadership, driver education, military training, student government, and placement, deciding on what electives they wish to pursue. BY THE time a student has completed his or her average stay here (which ranges from eight months to as long as two years), they probably have a more rounded background than some who come through the collegiate adade-mi- c system, one center teacher stated. Our students are almost always After all, they wanted to get into this program. No one forced them, and they know well-behave- d. Relaxing in her dorm at the Clearfield Job Corps Center is Dawn Shallenberger of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dawm is one of 1500 students currently at the center learning vocational, educational and social skills in hopes of obtaining future that if they dont meet our standards and expectations, they won't be allowed to stay, Mr. Quimby said. AND WHEN students are not in classes (which run from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), they have responsibilities in the dorms in which they reside. Competitions for cleanliness, neatness and pride are run constantly, and inspection is a daily affair. Most of the dorms are pleasantly and attractively decorated and maintained. There are also a variety of social activities on the center, including a dance hall, bowling alley and games room. THE CLEARFIELD center is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, but managed privately by the Management and Training Corporation of Ogden. MTC also manages centers in other parts of the country. The national program claims that for every dollar the federal government spends, and that was $167 million on Job Corps last year, graduates return $1.45 to the country within five years through their productivity and taxes. We figure the average cost for a student to graduate from here is slightly more than $8,000. But after they become a part of a productive work force, these kids become our best selling point. We interrupt w hat may have been a life of living what is called off center training. This hands-o- n experience commonly leads to offers of permanent employment for the students involved. ALTHOUGH the Reagan Admi- nistration recently proposed dissolving the Job Corps program, most administrators feel the federal government will probably not on government welfare rolls. Thats the real benefit we provide to society as a whole, Mr. Quimby explained. turn its back on the program. There really is no alternative to Mr. Quimby what we do here, stated. When you figure that 92 percent of the students who leave Job Corps in Clearfield go on to ADMINISTRATORS call the center a little United Nations, with many races, creeds and colors represented. Blacks make up about 30 percent of the studentbody , w ith Southeast Asians and native Americans accounting for the bulk of the remainder. About of the students are women. Once the students are ready, the center places them in one of 100 cooperative businesses between Ogden and South Salt Lake for jobs or other educational programs, how can you stop a good thing? SOME employees do feel concern over the President's proposal, but most feel that, if anything is curtailed on a national level, the result will likely be the combination of some smaller centers into larger programs as a way of cutting one-quart- er costs. Dont Want Pity, Just Help O Paralized In Accident Needs Heart Transplant By GARY R. BLODGETT By GARY R. BLODGETT Clipper News Editor BOUNTIFUL -- - Clipper News Editor Not one but two serious auto accidents -- Hes only 50 years old, but Gordon Wirth of 3897 S. 825 W., Bountiful, needs a new heart. - hap- pening within minutes of each other - have left a former Bountiful man paralized from the neck down. ALAN GEORGE Cottle, who -- will be 27 on March 29 is in stable condition at a hospital in Loveland , Colo., just a short distance from where the twin accidents occurred last Dec. 12. Alan is suffering from a broken neck, severed spinal cord, and is paralized from the neck down, according to his mother, Mrs. Wealthy Cottle, 703 E. 1900 S., Bountiful. of the tremendous hospital expenses since the accidents, the Cottles have set up an account, the Alan Cottle Fund, and contributions will be accepted by mailing to P.O. Box 775, Bountiful, Utah 84010. Mrs. Cottle explains that Alan was on his way home the evening of Dec. 12 when his auto hit black ice and rammed into a utility pole. Alan was not seriously injured in - AND BECAUSE this mishap and he managed to flag down a car on the lonely stretch of highway outside Greeley, Colo. -- out by firemen who responded to the accident. UNABLE TO eat because of the severe injuries, Alan lost about 65 pounds, dropping in weight from 160 pounds to less than 95 pounds. Only within the last month has Alan been able to eat solid food and is beginning to gain back his BUT AS he entered the vehicle that had stopped, his nightmares continued. He soon realized that the driver was intoxicated and as she sped away he yelled at her to "stop, youre drunk, let me out!" weight. Mrs. Cottles husband, Ray, was After only a short distance, the car in which he was riding hit black bedridden for six years with cancer before passing away three years ice', plunged down a embankment and rolled over at ago this month. least a half dozen tiroes. "Alan was AFTER ALL the illness and expinned in the cavity of the car where part of the engine had been penses that I have been through 1 ripped away and he had to be cut can not possibly take care of Alan 20-fo- ot WITHOUT A heart transplant, Gordon has a life expectancy of less than one year, according to his physician. But heart transplants are extremely expensive and Gordon and his wife, Joyce, are seeking public support. Gordon took an early medical retirement from the Union Pacific Railroad two years ago after 31 years of service. HE NOTED that the operation and hospital expenses will exceed not including additional S150,000 costs for Joyce to have temporary housing near the hospital for at least three months. After that, there will be a long period of recuperation - and very little income. WELL DO all that we can, but the funds will stretch only so far and without the operation Gordon will have only a short time to live, GORDON WIRTH she said. Gordon suffered a massive heart old ticker is worn out while the rest money to attack and was in a coma on get the application of my vital organs are in very good 18 a for started. days equipment condition, he explained. period of time that he forgot virThis makes Gordon an excellent CONTRIBUTIONS may be sent tually everything he knew. to the Gordon Wirth Heart Fund, patient for a heart transplant, because his other organs are in good o I HAD to learn to walk, talk, Zions First National Bank, 870 shape. For the time being, he can dress myself, eat and do everything North Highway 91, North Salt over again. It was as though I had do simple activities but can not Lake, 84054. work or exert himself. lost my mind. I couldnt remember g A is also planned how to do things, March 23 at Stoddard Hall, sponhe said. WHEN JOYCE found him going sored by the Union Pacific AuxiliGordon's physician said Gordeteriois too through the attack, he had stopped ary. Bake sales are also planned dons heart simply rated to continue functioning for breathing and had passed into a March 8 from 10a.m. until 5 p.m. at more than one year, probably less. coma. Fortunately, he suffered no Lakeview Hospital and March 9 The heart muscles and tissue are brain damage. from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at BountiGordon has applied for a transweak and one valve has a slight ful's Mall. The bake sales leak. plant at Stanford Medical Center in are sponsored by neighbors and friends. IM ONLY 50 years old. but my California. But he needs without help, she said. We don't want pity, but we do need help." Alan was graduated from Bountiful High in 1976 after attending Millcreek Junior High. He played football and was in the high school band which won several state and regional honors. rt -- c-- fund-raisin- A event is plaif-ne- d March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Bountiful Highs auditorium. Special entertainment for the entire family FUND-RAISIN- will include Winnifred Merritt, Hay-Da- y Cloggers, Pee-We- e Pick- - ers, Miss Teenage America, singer Ronald Peterson and entertainers from the South Sea Islands. up-fro- |