Justin Gwaltney (pictured above) entered the Culinary Arts program at SJCC in April of 2002. He came into the program with his high school diploma and quickly became the Culinary Arts class "Sous Chef" by demonstrating his passion for cooking and team leadership.

Justin was placed in a Work Based Learning site at the Rose City Café which is located at the Portland Airport and was quickly hired as a sushi chef in a highly visible role seen by passers by in the airport. He has since accepted a cooking position at Portland City Grill which had been a goal he set for himself while still at SJCC.

Two days into his new job, Justin had an emergency appendectomy, but quickly recovered and returned to work. He graduated from the Job Corps program in October, 2002 and has visited the center as an alumni to perform a sushi making demonstration for the Culinary Arts class.

Way to go, Justin!

Alla Zhuchenya successfully completed the Springdale Job Corps' Health Occupations Program in Fall 2003 and is now working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Alterra Wynwood Assisted Living in Gresham.

Alla was a non-resident student who worked 10-15 hours a week to cover extra living expenses while completing the training for her CNA license. She completed the program in nine months, and her advice to new students is "stick to your goals - it's worth it."

Alla is working 40 hours a week with full benefits, and Alterra Wynwood has helped her become a Certified Medication Assistant.