Lincoln STAR

Thursday, April 6, 1967

RUTH MONTGOMERY

Job Corps Justifies
Itself In Public Esteem

WASHINGTON The controversial Job Corps, once the "enfant terrible" of the poverty program, shows signs of developing into a solid citizen with a streak of civic consciousness.

At least, that's the encouraging word from poverty chieftain Sargent Shriver, who declares that since last May there has been "no single incident of any serious proportion in any Job Corps

center."

The same cannot be said for our college campuses and urban ghettoes. As the 115 Job Corps centers wind up their week-long "Salute to Communities" program, Public Relations Director Herbert J. Kramer wryly ob

serves:

"While middle-class American youth was indulging it

self in riotous behavior on Southern beaches during Easter week-end, America's poor kids in our Job Corps were working, learning, and expressing their gratitude towards local communities in

constructive way s. rather than destroying property, slandering adults, and violat. ing at least eight of the ten commandments on the beach at Fort Lauderdale."

Kramer says that only one conclusion can be drawn from the changed atmosphere in Job Corps centers: "Poor kids do not want to be poor, they do not want to be alienated, they do want to helong and participate."

As an example he cites the "complete reversal" at Camp Rodnian in New Ecdford. Massachusetts. where riotous behavior once shocked townspeople and congressmen alike. The city council has recently issued a vote of confidence in the camp director. Other cities that once spurned corpsmen

are now inviting them to civ. ic events and parties in private homes.

Although the drop-out rate is 21 per cent, the corps' present strength is 35.000, with a goal of 41.000 by July. Nearly 65,000 have had Job Corps training in the past two years, and Congress now requires that one-fourth of the enlistees be women.

listee has a fifth grade abil The average Job Corps enity in reading and math, but gains one to two grade-levels during a nine months stay in camp. A third of those who enter the program cannot read a simple sentence or solve a secondgrade arithmetic problem, in a land where we have long prided ourselves on our free public school system.

This is rather remarkable inasmuch as two-thirds of these youngsters had previously been asked to leave school because of disciplinary, educational, financial or other reasons.

They represent the hard core of disadvantaged youth. Yet a recent survey indicates that of approximately 50.000 Job Corps "graduates.' "26.000 found jobs. 5.000 returned to school, and 3.500 entered military service.

The corps has had an exceedingly rough shakedown cruise for the past two years, but perhaps smoother seas are ahead.

Copyright, 1967, King Feat. Synd., Ins.

SUBJECT: Nationwide Job Corps "Salute to Communities Week"

Please take the necessary action to convey the following information
to all Center Directors.

All Job Corps Centers will conduct a "Salute to Communities Week," March 26 through April 2. The purpose of the week's activities will be to focus attention on the Center as a neighbor by expressing the individual Center's gratitude for community cooperation, and to encourage continuing participation and greater understanding of Job Corps by all residents of the area. The theme to be stressed is the Center thanking the community for their support during the first two years of Job Corps.

All activities scheduled should be arranged so that normal Center
operations will not be disrupted or curtailed.

9010-108

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan

1010-108

ΤΟ

OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10

MAY 19 EDITION

OSA FPMR (41 CPR) 101-11.0

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

: W. P. Kelly, J

FROM : Bernie R. Diamond, J/C

SUBJECT:

DATE: March 15, 1967

March 26 through April 2.

"Salute to Communities Week"
Twenty-four Urban Centers, 6 State-Related Centers and 47 Department of
Agriculture Centers and 39 Department of Interior Centers have completed
plans to participate in this Nationwide event.

Virtually all Centers have programmed the following events:

1.

2.

3.

4.

6.

7.

Announcements in local churches on Easter Sunday including Invitations to visit their Center. Large delegations of Corpsmen will attend church to personally thank residents for their support.

Presentation of scrolls and/or certificates of appreciation to Governor, Mayor or members of City Councils, County Officials, members of Community Relations Councils and newspapers. Some presentations will be made to special luncheons at the Center and others will be made at community affairs.

Issuance of special invitations via letters, telegrams and personal contact to members of the Congressional Delegation, Governors and State Legislators to visit Centers and/or participate in a specific way. The Governor of Maine and Oklahoma have both confirmed that they will make special tours of their Centers (through efforts of Henry and Blick). Open House and Center tours. Many will have displays of photographs or newspaper clippings indicating voluntary projects the Center has been engaged in. Several will feature art exhibits.

Hosting Civic Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, Women's Clubs and school clubs at recognition luncheons or dinners. In addition, several Centers will provide speakers for regular weekly Civic Club luncheons with Job Corps as the theme. Three City Councils will hold their regular council meeting at the Center.

Special television and radio shows featuring Corpsmen entertainment and utilizing the theme of "Community We Appreciate You."

Invitational sports events and Invitations to local schools and industrial leagues to participate. Events will include track and field events, wrest ling and boxing.

In addition to all the above, the following are some special and unique events which the Centers themselves have originated:

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan

GUTHRIE -- Hopes to graduate first Corpswoman that week. Will run ad with girl's photo, thanking residents of Guthrie for her new start in life. Also presenting permanent photo display of Job Corps activities to President of Chamber of Commerce for display in City Hall.

MCKINNEY --Starting during Salute Week and every Tuesday thereafter, Center will hold "Family night at the Job Corps." They will host 4 to 5 local familles at the cafeteria and during dinner, express appreciation to them. RODMAN --Student Government will promulgate and send City Council of New Bedford resolution expressing students appreciation to the people of New Bedford for opening their hearts and homes to them and to the City Council for its constructive criticism and help in winning acceptance for Rodman as a good neighbor. Will hold appreciation dinner in Center gym for 200 area residents who made it possible for Center to overcome serious community relations problems that plagued them first year. Have invited Governors Volpe (Mass.) and Chaffee (R.1.), Senators E. Kennedy and E. Brooke, Congressmen Keith and Heckle.

MCCOY-- First visit to local area bloodmobile will be made to Center with wide scale donations by Corpsmen.

CLEARFIELD --Corpsmen will participate in a different voluntary community project everyday during Salute Week (church yard clean-up, etc.). Team of Corpsmen will visit all local high schools to express appreciation to students for their acceptance and cooperation.

TILLAMOOK (CC)--Will hold community ceremony to donate a historical wood carving depicting "Pioneers on the Oregon Trail" to the County Museum. CLEVELAND -- Will present certificate to firms which have made available facilities for OJT.

CHARLESTON -- Printing souvenir booklets with feature articles from Corpswomen and messages from Sargent Shriver, W. P. Kelly, Bennetta B. Washington and corporate officials. Will distribute to approximately 1,000 expected for Open House.

PARKS -- Will pay special recognition to all members of Community Relations Councils.

BRECKINRDIGE -- Select Corpsmen will visit each business and professional office in Morganfield and Sturgess to present souvenir passes to the Center's Open House to the owners and operators.

KOKO HEAD -- Governor John Burns of Hawaii will issue official proclamation for the week. A male and female student from Kaloni High School will become honorary enrollees for a day--attending all classes and taking part in all regular Center activities. On Saturday, April 1, Corpsmen will participate in common work project (highway maintenance) with local Jaycees and high school students.

NEW WAVERLY (CC)-- Easter Sunrise Services to be held at Center with all functions except deliverance of Easter message being conducted by Corpsmen. LUNA (CC)-- Home of Las Vegas, New Mexico citizen Manuel Maestas, recently burned, leaving family including 10 children completely homeless and without clothing. Corpsmen have collected clothing for family and will hold benefit dance during Salute Week.

ATTERBURY -- Westinghouse will present gifts of equipment to Johnson and Bartholomew County Hospital.

POLAND SPRING -- Will present contribution from Corpswomen and staff to local United Fund Drive.

LEWIS AND CLARK (CC)-- Will hold special recognition event for families which have participated in family welcome plan.

ARECIBO (Puerto Rico) -- March 29 designated sports day. Will stage a fullday dual meet between community organizations and Center.

ARROYO (Puerto Rico) -- Corpsmen will hold public positions for a day such as Mayor, School Superintendent, School Principal, and local students will function at Center as Center Director, counselors and teachers. Corpsmen will also visit community hospital and present gifts of ash trays made from bamboo and coconut shells and decorated with Job Corps emblem to patients. VIEQUES (Puerto Rico) -- Will exhibit Job Corps film for entire community in public baseball park. Corpsmen will offer talent show at Center for community visitors.

GARY -- 4 Center Explorer Scout Posts (approximately 100-members) will host posts from entire area at Explorer Olympic Program. Will also have display booth sponsored by Center posts at Scout-O-Rama in Austin.

KILMER --Student Government conducting special candy sales to raise $150.00 to buy uniforms for presentation to little league team they are sponsoring.

CUSTER- Open invitation to citizens of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo to attend Corpsmen graduation ceremony March 28.

LINCOLN --Corpsmen read expression of appreciation on floor of State Legislature. Will present Governor and Mayor with Job Corps blazers. Governor will present key Center staff with Admiral Commission in Nebraska Navy. Govenor will also present honorary citizenship in the State for Corpsmen.