United We Spark Blog
When Doors Close, Community Steps In
How She Built This City Offers Support Amid Job Corps Closures
In May, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the termination of contracts of several Job Corps campuses nationwide. As a result, multiple centers are now slated for closure. While these decisions are tied to internal program performance and oversight, the impact reaches far beyond paperwork and policy.
Thousands of students, many from underrepresented and economically vulnerable communities, have suddenly found their educational and career pathways interrupted. For those relying on Job Corps for housing, training, and long-term opportunity, the closures bring confusion, disappointment, and an urgent need for new options.
As the National Job Corps Association put it: “These closures will have a devastating impact on our students and staff. These are young people working hard to better their lives and the lives of their families, and they deserve better.”
At She Built This City, we don’t have a formal relationship with the Job Corps, but we understand the power of second chances, and the importance of continued access to skill-building opportunities. We stand ready to support any displaced students who may be seeking a new training option in the trades.
Our mission is rooted in building pathways into the construction and trades industries, especially for women, youth, and historically marginalized communities. Through our Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, offered in both Charlotte and Greensboro, participants receive hands-on training in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and commercial painting. Our programs also include wraparound support services like childcare, meals, Spanish-language instruction, and mentorship, designed to help remove the barriers that often stand between intention and opportunity.
We understand that no single program can replace what students may have lost. But we want to be part of the solution, one organization among many offering a safe, supportive, and empowering place to land and rebuild momentum.
For those seeking a new path in the skilled trades, She Built This City offers supportive, hands-on Pre-Apprenticeship Programs designed to meet people where they are. We currently offer training in both Charlotte and Greensboro, with upcoming cohort dates as follows:
Charlotte: July 12, 2025 & October 4, 2025
Greensboro: August 9, 2025
If you or someone you know has been affected by the Job Corps changes and is looking for next steps in the trades, we welcome you to explore our offerings. Whether you're a student seeking support or a community partner looking to connect displaced learners with new opportunities, we’re here.
Let’s continue building futures together.
Want to learn more or get involved?
📩 Email us at info@shebuiltthiscity.org
🌐 Visit shebuiltthiscity.org