SD Job Corps advances 1st student to NY nursing program

San Diego Job Corps center graduate, Katlyn Preston, was selected as one of only 15 applicants from all across the US for advanced training to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the Cassadaga, NY Job Corps site.  She is the first student from San Diego to be accepted to the program.  As an enrollee in the Job Corps' nurses training program, Katlyn will have her room and board provided and all of her training, education, and licensing fees paid.  Katlyn has already overcome numerous obstacles in her goal to be a nurse.   She and her twin sister were often homeless during their high school years.  They were able to graduate high school in El Cajon because of the generosity of Christian Fellowship of El Cajon and East County Transitional Living Center which provided the homeless twins food and shelter in their senior year.  Katlyn volunteered over the summer at Sun and Sea Manor in Imperial Beach and joined the local Job Corps' CNA program last September.  She finished first in her class and has been working as a CNA while applying for advanced training. She leaves today, July 30, for the intensive education program which will condense two years of schooling and work-study into 14 months.  Afterwards, she can apply for licensure as a nurse in New York, and transfer her license to California.

    Job Corps is a US Dept. of Labor program providing free career and life skills for low income youth aged 16-24.  Young people live on campus and can earn a high school diploma or GED if needed, plus get certified in their choice of trades or careers.  Vocational options in San Diego include health care, culinary, security, auto technology, and numerous trades such as plumbing, tile, electircal, painting, etc.  The San Diego center is located in Imperial Beach.  Trainees who successfully complete their programs are eligible to apply for advanced training either at a local community college or through specialized programs at other Job Corps sites hosting such programs.  For more information visit http://sandiego.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx

    We congratulate the San Diego Job Corps' Center (ranked #5 in the nation) for their great work with these youth and wish Katlyn continued success.  We believe she will inspire other youth in and out of Job Corps to identify goals, stay focused on achieving them, and be persistent in pursuit of opportunities.