From Mentee to Mentor

Growing up in and out of foster care, Slade Martin never realized he’d one day work in foster care advocacy. Slade had been in 24 foster care placements in 14 years and struggled transitioning to the workforce. His cousin, a Job Corps alum, encouraged him to enroll in the program. 

At the Alaska Job Corps Center, Slade took on leadership roles in the student government association and peer corps, while completing his career training in seven months. After graduating, he participated in Job Corps’ Advanced Career Training program, in which he was able to complete an associate degree in behavioral health at Matanuska-Susitna College. 

“It’s my dream
to do foster care advocacy.”

For the past seven years, Slade has volunteered with Facing Foster Care in Alaska. “It’s my dream to do foster care advocacy,” he said, noting he hopes to become a foster parent as well.  

Slade credits the structure of Job Corps and the safety he felt on center as contributions to his success. 

We’re ready to help foster youth find their next step.  

Learn more about the resources Job Corps offers to help your students to help them find their path and a career. 

Help them get started: 

• Encourage them to visit jobcorps.gov to get connected to an admissions staff member and learn about Job Corps’ eligibility requirements. 
• We have open enrollment, so the young people you serve can start their application today, tomorrow or whenever is right for them.

Our local admissions staff will support them every step of the way through the process. 

Please forward this e-mail to the youth and families you work with to let them know about new opportunities at Job Corps.   

jobcorps.gov  |  800-733-JOBS (5627)