About 100 staff at Milwaukee Job Corps Center will lose jobs due to federal cuts, state agency says
About 100 staff at the Milwaukee Job Corps Center are expected to lose their jobs in June as the result of recent actions by the U.S. Department of Labor to pause its national workforce program.
In a late May announcement, the federal labor department cited poor performance outcomes and high operation costs as reason for its plans to suspend operations at 99 contract-operated Job Corps centers across the U.S., including Milwaukee's, by the end of June.
The Job Corps program dates to 1964. It provides room and board, high school diplomas, specific job skills training, and other employment services for people between the ages of 16 and 24. Participants must qualify as low income and face "barriers to education and employment."
Examples of those who are enrolled in Job Corps include people with a history of homelessness, who dropped out of the K-12 education system or who have been victims of sex trafficking. About 25,000 people are enrolled nationally, federal data show.
Milwaukee's location, 6665 N. 60th St., is operated by contractor Horizon Youth Services. Via email on June 2, President Nolyn Fueller said the program has awarded 1,354 high school diplomas and 2,515 career and technical training completions since opening in 2011.
Layoffs will affect all staff at the Milwaukee location: residential counselors, academic instructors, mental health consultants, security officers, cooks and others, according to a June 2 notification from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
"The termination of this contract will result in layoffs that are expected to be permanent," the DWD notification says.
A June 3 legal complaint brought by the National Job Corps Association, a trade organization for contractors operating the program, seeks to prevent the federal pause. Among other allegations, the lawsuit filed in New York calls the federal labor department's actions "illegal" and "fundamentally irrational."
Jamie De Jesus has volunteered at the Milwaukee location for the last two years. He believes ending the program could increase the crime rate, put young people in vulnerable situations and make it more difficult for potential future students to get jobs.
'They're making life-changing decisions on people whose life they can never relate to,' De Jesus said of the Trump administration.
De Jesus said he reached out to Milwaukee Area Technical College and Milwaukee County to find some possible solutions.
'Let's revamp what we got and keep these people from being homeless,' De Jesus said, adding of the roughly 120 students that are affected by the closure, 30 could be homeless or have inconsistent housing.
De Jesus said he's reached out to different organizations to help with housing and mental health for the students.
'Money makes the world go round, right? But conversation rules the nation,' De Jesus said. 'If we keep communicating with each other to find out what our needs are, we all have a better chance of survival.'
The federal funding for Job Corps was operational, De Jesus said, and the budget was tight. But the program was trending in the right direction.
'We were working on getting Job Corps more volunteering so they were more active in the community. They were building relationships,' De Jesus said. 'They had a workforce board to find out what companies wanted and companies were even hiring the students from there. It was working.'
Aside from his volunteer work, De Jesus works for the Innovative Educational Solutions Institute, a nonprofit that offers job training to people with financial or physical limitations.
De Jesus said there's two machinist interns and an administrative assistant intern with Innovative Educational Solutions Institute. Like many companies with interns coming to the end of their training, De Jesus said they asked them where they wanted to get lunch.
'Their response hit me ... 'We don't know any place to go eat?'' De Jesus recalled. 'It's about exposure for youths, at this point. Exposing them to as many things as we can whether it be different foods, different areas of employment, different career paths. And just trying to educate them and let them know that they're not forgotten about.'
In explaining its decision to suspend the program, the U.S. Department of Labor pointed to a "first-ever Job Corps Transparency Report" released in April that includes data on graduation rates, operational costs and safety infractions at program sites.
For the Milwaukee location, that data showed an enrollment of 245 students in the 2023 program year, at an average cost per participant of $37,457. Of those students, 73 were considered to have graduated, meaning they either obtained a high school diploma, GED or completed a career technical training program.
In a statement on May 29, U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer cited that report in saying the Job Corps program was "no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve."
The lawsuit seeking to maintain Job Corps alleges the federal government's report on the program "applies a flawed methodology and reflects selective and inaccurate performance measures, costs, and statistics, intended to significantly understate Job Corps' performance and overstate its costs."
In June 3 letter addressed to Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, called the program pause "misguided" and a "functional cancellation."
She urged the federal government to reverse course.
"Employers in the Milwaukee area value Job Corps graduates as strong, reliable contributors in the workplace, and losing that connection will add to the challenge of filling open jobs," Baldwin's letter said.
The future of Wisconsin's second Job Corps center, in the northcentral town of Laona, is unclear.
The Laona location, Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, is operated by the U.S. Forest Service Job Corps. In a statement on June 3, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the department is reviewing the job corps program and "will determine the status of our 24 centers soon."
"The Trump Administration is looking critically at the way we do business, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the best possible service for our customers, and the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars," the statement added. "We continue to work closely with DOL and Congress to ensure USDA Job Corps facilities continue to prioritize the health and safety of program participants."
Cleo Krejci covers K-12 education and workforce development as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. For more information about Report for America, visit jsonline.com/rfa.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Federal actions to pause services at Milwaukee Job Corps center
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Journalists at WITI-TV Fox6 have taken days of action to call attention to pay
As we make summer plans for our summer getaways it is important to support those who inform our communities. WITI Fox6 Milwaukee employs many photographers and editors who cover the area daily rain or shine. They cover our community but as with many issues impacting journalists impartiality means they cannot loudly advocate for their own causes; as journalists we are told we must cover the story not become it. From coverage at Summerfest to investigations and crime, these news crews put themselves out there in the 'field' everyday to make sure we stay informed. It's through the lens of workers at WITI and other local news station stations that connect with our community when we want decide that today we will just stay on the couch, or how we stay connected in touch when we are on the road via the local news website. Journalism is more important then ever, and supporting those who bring us the news is vital. Many may not have realized that workers at Fox 6 have taken days of action, June 19, to bring attention to their pay and other working conditions. Letters: House budget provision exempts executive branch from following court orders While you may see a lot of stories on local television, this may not get the attention it needs, but impacts what you see. If you see a news photographer or reporter thank them for what they do, and maybe ask if there is 'news' that affects them personally, that's likely a story you won't see on air. Raza Siddiqui, Host of Media Essential Workers, Former National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians, Local 41 President, Chicago Opinion: 5 (bad) things every We Energies customer should know about natural gas plants Letters: Wake-enhanced boating produces same dynamic as smoking in public places Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@ or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: News crews in Milwaukee work tirelessly to serve community | Letters
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Growing deficit, budget cuts yet still no mention of raising taxes on wealthy
Sen. Ron Johnson, speaking from his background, insists that the budget deficit will mortgage our children's futures. I'm not an accountant, but I do agree. I'm old enough to remember when corporations and the wealthy were not so wealthy yet were taxed at a much higher rate. The American dream was real, and America's debt was not a problem. Today, Congress struggles to fund innovations like Social Security, public healthcare and clean energy. Johnson warns that cuts outlined in the 'big beautiful' budget bill will not reduce the repercussions of our growing deficit. More and deeper cuts are needed, he says. This would disproportionately affect middle- and lower-income families, I must add. If I remember my Econ 101, rising prices from tariffs, and with that a likely recession, would deal an even heavier blow to families already hard hit. And still no mention of raising taxes on the wealthy. Suzanne Powell, Milwaukee Letters: House budget provision exempts executive branch from following court orders Letters: Wake-enhanced boating produces same dynamic as smoking in public places Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@ or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: I agree with Ron Johnson that budget bill mortgages future | Letters
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
I'm exhausted by attempts to pretend discrimination doesn't exist in America
Mary-Frances Winters defined the term 'Black fatigue' in her book of the same name, describing it as a form of psychological and emotional exhaustion from persistent racism and microaggressions. You know what I'm tired of? The MAGA movement twisting and co-opting language used to help Americans cope with racism and turning it back on them. The latest example is "Black fatigue." In 2020, author Mary-Frances Winters defined the term in her book of the same name, describing it as a form of psychological and emotional exhaustion from persistent racism and microaggressions. This fatigue can impact one's mental and spiritual well-being, and if left unaddressed, it could also affect physical health and shorten life expectancy. Today, the term has been co-opted by the right – and even people unwittingly using it against themselves. For instance, when five girls attack a woman at the opening night of the Milwaukee Night Market, it is labeled "Black fatigue." When some boys drive recklessly in a stolen car, it is also called "Black fatigue." When a 39-year-old man is arrested in the shooting of a Milwaukee police officer, you guessed it. I reached out to Winters, 74, who said she was not surprised to learn the MAGA crowd had co-opted the term. However, she is disheartened that some are using it against their fellow African Americans. Opinion: I remember my first Juneteenth. It's more than a Black holiday. While it's understandable for people to feel frustrated and speak out when they witness something bad happen, it's important to recognize that no single group has a monopoly on bad behavior. The bigger question is why do Black people often find themselves under greater scrutiny? I believe we know the answer to that. Real 'Black fatigue' gives voice to microaggressions, systemic racism This disparity is precisely why Winters coined the term in the first place, capturing the struggles faced by the Black community in a world that is quick to pass judgment. Ironically, the movement co-opting the term is the one inflicting the pain by pretending bigotry doesn't exist by President Donald Trump's attempt to erase diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Opinion: Trump worries more about South Africa's nonexistent genocide than real US racism When Winters' book was released, America was grappling with a global pandemic and confronting systemic racism after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who sparked nationwide protests. When she was writing the book, many expressed to Winters, the founder and CEO of The Winters Group, Inc., a 40-year-old global organization development and DEI consulting firm, that they felt exhausted by microaggressions, conveying a sense of pressure to excel at work but thought they were only making minimal progress. Think of it as constantly walking on a new carpet. Over time, you don't realize how the fibers are worn down until you compare before-and-after pictures and see how your repeated steps have diminished the carpet's beauty. That's what racism does. Since Trump took office again, Winters noted that real Black fatigue has intensified due to his rhetoric and policies, which have escalated racial tensions and eroded civil rights protections, further compounding a long history of unacknowledged, unaddressed racism and discrimination. 'He's hurting people. Just think about all the government jobs that have been eliminated," Winters said. "A lot of those employees were Black men and women who now must figure out what they want to do." MAGA uses concept to perpetuate negative, racist stereotypes There are dozens of videos online featuring people discussing the co-opted concept of Black fatigue, and to be honest, it makes me angry. It's not surprising, though, as there are even more videos and websites seemingly dedicated to showcasing the worst behaviors. Sites like and 'Ghetto Fights' often highlight instances of fighting, or just being unkind to each other. Given that our country is so hypersegregated, it's no wonder that people watch these clips and conclude this is representative. And the thing that is so tiring is how the term has been twisted so silently. Dynasty Ceasar, a local community activist who has studied race and racism, was unaware that the definition had changed. She described the issue as 'complex and sensitive,' making it difficult to grasp. 'We need to be mindful of the impact of such statements and avoid language that reinforces negative stereotypes or internalizes racism,' Ceasar said. It's important to clarify that I'm not suggesting that Black people should avoid accountability for their negative actions. What I mean is that everyone, regardless of their race, should be held accountable for their actions but should not be subjected to a different standard than anyone else. It's easy to fall into the trap and use the term incorrectly When I spoke to Winters, I had to be entirely transparent and shared with her that I had inadvertently fallen into the trap. I shared an incident I witnessed while shopping at Plato's Closet, a resale shop in Greenfield. I was about to buy some shoes when I noticed an elderly White woman with her grandson. She was purchasing a pair of sunglasses for him, and I let them skip ahead of me in line because her grandson was very antsy. While we were waiting, a Black woman was selling some shoes and seemed unhappy with what was being offered to her. When the cashier called for the next customer, the older woman accidentally bumped into her, which sparked a verbal altercation. The Black woman began cursing, expressing her frustration about people who bump into her without saying "excuse me." Although the older woman apologized, it only seemed to escalate the situation, as the woman continued to curse and insult her. After both women left the store, several employees asked what had just happened, and I felt compelled to explain the situation. After the incident, I called my cousin and mentioned that I had experienced "Black fatigue" because I felt that the woman's behavior was out of line. My cousin told me that I was misusing the term. Winters and Ceasar both agreed that racism is rarely the result of a single action; it is much more complex than that. While they did not condone the actions of the woman for shouting, Ceasar acknowledged that her outburst might have stemmed from the many times she had been ignored, overlooked as if she did not exist, or made to feel devalued. If Black fatigue can negatively impact on a person's mind, body and spirit, it can also lead to diminished emotional well-being, sometimes manifesting as outbursts to seek acknowledgment. If you find yourself using the term to express disappointment about something bad happening in the world, take a moment to consider how you express that. If your feelings are not specifically related to race, then your fatigue may not be about racial issues at all. It might be about human nature. However, if you believe that only Black people are capable of negative actions and continue to use the term in that context, it might be necessary to reflect on your own biases. That's what I'm tired of. James E. Causey is an Ideas Lab reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where this column originally appeared. Reach him at jcausey@jrnhttps:// or follow him on X: @jecausey
