RAPSA - Student Stories

Student Stories

Struggling Student Gets Help She Needs

“This program is for you. If you take advantage of it, you will improve a whole lot. I have taken advantage of this program, and I am so proud of myself and what I have accomplished here at SIATech.”

Ambria Allen was identified as a special needs student early in elementary school and had always struggled academically and disliked school. Ambria went to a traditional high school through the tenth grade and then eventually transitioned to an adult school because of her age; however, her school struggles continued. Her Godsister recommended Job Corps, and Ambria willingly looked into the program. Ambria began at Job Corps/SIATech in July, 2006, with apprehension. She recognized that her reading skills were very low, which was a main factor why she never completed any school program.

A Lifetime of Wrong Choices Leads to the Right One

Fabiola Damas is a fine example of a hard working trainee at the Long Beach SIATech site. A resident of San Pedro, California, Damas has met and overcome many obstacles throughout her life: a rough childhood, the wrong crowd, and some wrong choices in life led her to eventually drop out of high school. Damas remembers, “I was watching television when I saw the commercial for Job Corps. It really got my attention…. I knew that this was the only opportunity for me to start all over again.” She made a call, and a few days later, she was accepted into Job Corps.

Though an intelligent, unique, and determined student who wishes to succeed in the “real world,” Damas, in the past, was not always confident that her efforts would be met with success. Though her past led her in the wrong direction, she was ready to welcome necessary change to ensure her personal success in life. Because of Job Corps, Damas believes she is at last on the road to realizing her dreams.