A federal workforce program with a campus in Vermont is now officially on hold and could be shutting down for good.The Northlands Job Corps campus in Vergennes is among several centers nationwide that may be forced to close as soon as the end of June. The news has left students and staff devastated, describing it not just as the loss of a program, but the loss of a lifeline.“This program saved my life,” said welding student Chris Demedeiros. “Before Job Corps, I was homeless. For the first time, I felt safe here.”Job Corps provides education, job training and housing to low-income youth, often serving as a last chance for those facing significant challenges. For students like medical trainee Natalie Edwards, the closure brings deep uncertainty.“It’s scary because a lot of people here don’t have anywhere else to go,” Edwards said.Michael Dooley, director of Northlands Job Corps, said the timeline for shutting down is unreasonably short, and it is especially concerning for the center’s most vulnerable students.“We have over two dozen students who are unhoused,” Dooley explained. “We have to find them somewhere to live in just three and a half weeks.”Counseling manager Kimberly Berthiaume added that the emotional toll is mounting for both students and staff.“Many of these kids have experienced trauma, abuse, homelessness,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to give them stability, and now they’re heartbroken and scared.”The impact is being felt throughout the city of Vergennes. Mayor Chris Bearor said the center not only brought jobs to the area but also integrated students into the local community through volunteer work and public events.“It’s a big loss for the city,” Bearor said.With time running out, staff, students and supporters are working to explore every possible option.“We’re still fighting to stay open,” Dooley said. He urges the public to visit the Job Corps website and call on state officials and members of Congress to help keep the program alive.
A federal workforce program with a campus in Vermont is now officially on hold and could be shutting down for good.
The Northlands Job Corps campus in Vergennes is among several centers nationwide that may be forced to close as soon as the end of June.
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The news has left students and staff devastated, describing it not just as the loss of a program, but the loss of a lifeline.
“This program saved my life,” said welding student Chris Demedeiros. “Before Job Corps, I was homeless. For the first time, I felt safe here.”
Job Corps provides education, job training and housing to low-income youth, often serving as a last chance for those facing significant challenges.
For students like medical trainee Natalie Edwards, the closure brings deep uncertainty.
“It’s scary because a lot of people here don’t have anywhere else to go,” Edwards said.
Michael Dooley, director of Northlands Job Corps, said the timeline for shutting down is unreasonably short, and it is especially concerning for the center’s most vulnerable students.
“We have over two dozen students who are unhoused,” Dooley explained. “We have to find them somewhere to live in just three and a half weeks.”
Counseling manager Kimberly Berthiaume added that the emotional toll is mounting for both students and staff.
“Many of these kids have experienced trauma, abuse, homelessness,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to give them stability, and now they’re heartbroken and scared.”
The impact is being felt throughout the city of Vergennes. Mayor Chris Bearor said the center not only brought jobs to the area but also integrated students into the local community through volunteer work and public events.
“It’s a big loss for the city,” Bearor said.
With time running out, staff, students and supporters are working to explore every possible option.
“We’re still fighting to stay open,” Dooley said. He urges the public to visit the Job Corps website and call on state officials and members of Congress to help keep the program alive.
