'Don't let your past determine your future': 10 graduate from job skills class

BEDFORD, By Krystal Shetler Times-Mail  — Hali Reynolds, adorned in a black gown with her mortar board decorated in pink glitter, stood confidently at the microphone as she explained how she cried the day she was arrested, as she grieved the loss of more than just her freedom.

“I’d have this label ... and with it, I knew I’d never be able to fulfill my dreams,” Reynolds said. “Now, I’m actually working my dream job. ... Thank you to everyone who believed in me when I couldn’t.”

Reynolds was among the 10 newest graduates of the Lawrence County Workforce Coalition’s Introduction to Local Jobs and Skills course — an intensive job skills program held at the North Lawrence Career Center that teaches justice-involved participants welding, construction and precision machining. The program is sponsored by the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council and is aimed at increasing adult education and training programs, certification and creating better employment opportunities for the participants.

Through the program, Reynolds, who excelled in welding, obtained a better job, is signed up to take her high school equivalency exam and is enrolling at Ivy Tech Community College.

The success stories don’t end with Reynolds. Each of the graduates — Jerad Ashley, Gage Gabhart, Michael Gillespie, Bridget Hanks, Connor Morgan, Michael Osborne, Joshua Pickett, Reynolds, Jessica Terrell and Cameron Veatch — are all facing new opportunities, thanks to the training program.

“I love that, coming out of prison, I got the opportunity to help me realize that I don’t have to be defined by my past,” Terrell said.

And each speaker at Tuesday’s graduation ceremony at StoneGate Arts & Education Center reiterated the idea that the participants must use this chance to move forward and make their lives better.

“Don’t let your past determine your future,” said Matt Olson, who teaches construction trades at NLCC. “... Each one of you has the ability to do great things.”

Brad Gilbert, who taught the students machine trades, said the time he spent with the participants was “very, very rewarding.”

 “It was definitely a joy to work with you all,” Gilbert told the graduates. “I wish you all the best of luck in whatever ... path you take.”

Partnerships with local justice-involved entities have provided a pool of students seeking to “skill up” and explore potential careers. The workforce coalition collaborates with the prosecutor’s office, public defender’s agency and the probation department in getting students enrolled who are seeking a way to change their trajectory in life. But not all participants are involved in the justice system. The program is open to anyone willing to skill up.

Joe Timbrook, director of career development for the LCEGC, said the class experienced almost 100% attendance. Some of the participants worked day jobs, then came to class at night. One graduate rode a scooter from Williams to the NLCC every day to attend. Some, he said, beat him to class.

“They have a desire to do better and be better ... and these 10 accomplished that,” Timbrook said. “Thank you for continuing to believe everybody in this county deserves a second chance.”

Lawrence Circuit Court Judge Nathan Nikirk served as the featured speaker for the ceremony. He urged participants to create a goal and focus on getting there, even when life gets messy.

“You’ve learned that you can do it,” Nikirk said. “It’s your plan and you have the ability to be successful in your plan. ... Do not get stuck in your past. ... It’s my hope for you that you never stop learning.”

Through the course, participants built two 8-foot by 8-foot sheds and welded two fire pits that were put up for sale following the graduation. But, for the participants, the experience went beyond learning new skills — it showed them the community cares about their success.

“It was amazing, all of it,” Gillespie said of his time in the course. “It really makes your gears turn. ... And the depth of contacts these people have in the community is amazing. The fact that they’re willing to use those contacts to make our lives better is completely unbelievable. They went absolutely above and beyond to give us an amazing opportunity, and we’ll forever be grateful for it.”