State Representative Kristian Grant, a Democrat from Grand Rapids, held her monthly community coffee hour at the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps center on Hall Street Monday.
“With everything that took place over the last month, I thought it was really important to follow up. They had an outpouring of support while things were in limbo, but I think it’s really important for us to continue staying engaged and bringing the community into this space so that they become really aware of what is at stake.”
Job Corps is a federally funded career training program providing housing, meals, and support services for low-income young adults.
In early June, Job Corps was given the order to empty buildings and wind down education and housing operations by July 1st. Job Corps complied with that order while allowing students with no place to go a chance to line up jobs and housing.
Representative Grant said while news that the program must continue running during its lawsuit is welcome, the extended pause has lasting effects.
“We have students who are gone. Students have signed leases, they’ve taken on jobs because their whole world was turned upside down, and you don’t just end that when you say, ‘Just kidding. Come back.’”
The Department of Labor maintains its actions are lawful and says it’s reviewing the judge’s injunction.
