Partnership starts with having a great reputation and champions that believe in a great program. That’s exactly how the new partnership between Gordon Food Service (GFS) and Job Corps began early this year. Earl C. Clements Job Corps Center (ECC), Business and Community Liaison, Nyra Syers, a long-time team member, introduced and provided a tour to GFS sales representative Peron Brett Ryan. Ryan then educated his GFS management about Job Corps and the rest is history.
GFS Keith Masoud has been a vital partner to the Earl C. Clements center and are new members of the CRC and CWC which is especially helpful to Job Corps alumni with certifications in CDL truck driving, material handling, office administration and culinary arts. GFS has coordinated and volunteered to support the Earle C. Clements local food drive for county food pantries by nearly doubling the amount of food collected over a three-month period. Donations were at the count of 6,000 and GFS added an additional 5,000 items to that total. For this rural area that the center serves, the GFS donation is astounding and provides healthy meal opportunities for many in need of nutritious foods.
“Gordon Food Service has witnessed a tremendous passion in the Job Corps staff to helping their students be successful, and providing relief to their community [through the food drive],” said Masoud. “This passion is contagious and we would love the opportunity to continue building our relationship and providing a career path for their students.”
Masoud is in conversation with ECC CTS and WBL, exploring active internships in the area and hiring graduates. GFS is a new CRC and CWC member. GFS may find qualified workers for several areas of their business from Earle C. Clements Job Corps, and other Job Corps Centers nationally.
“Most employers are looking for people that value working and finding a career. If students are investing their time by coming to Job Corps, they have already demonstrated their desire to succeed,” said Masoud. “GFS can complement Job Corps by providing life changing career opportunities to their students.”
The GFS partnership has assisted the ECC in recruiting other organizations by sharing their sentiments about the program.
“GFS recently had the opportunity to donate food to the Earle C. Clements Job Corps food drive. Our driver Travis Jones delivered the products and personally witnessed the impact the food donation will make in the community. We would like to continue to support Job Corps anyway we can.”
Note: We salute Nyra Syers, ECC BCL who is retiring from this month.
