Graduation 'a day of triumph' for Cherry Street's workforce class
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
Cherry Street Mission’s Workforce Development programs saw its largest graduating class in its history Thursday.
Students including Jahquan Chambers, who graduated from the nonprofit’s building trades program, proudly received a certificate signifying his completion of the building trades program in the gymnasium of Cherry Street Mission Ministries on Monroe Street.
“I’m feeling pretty accomplished,” Mr. Chambers said.
He was one of 45 students who graduated from five Cherry Street programs including building trades, food truck operations, machining and machine repair, FANUC robot operations, and welding.
“Today is a day of triumph,” said Carrie Arnold, vice president of the workforce development division for Cherry Street Mission.
“These graduates don’t just learn technical skills. They overcome obstacles that would have stopped many others,” she said. “Some faced financial struggles, some faced personal hardships and some had moments when giving up seemed easier, but they didn’t quit, they chose to keep going. They chose to believe in themselves and in their future.”
The ceremony saw the inaugural graduating class of the FANUC Robot Operations program, which had seven students, Ms. Arnold said.
FANUC is a global automation company founded in Japan and with locations on five continents.
Students in the 12-week robotics program utilized a robot, which was purchased through a grant by Owens Corning, to learn how to program robots to complete certain tasks, Ms. Arnold said.
One of those seven students was Toledo resident Marcus Stewart, who said he was excited about the opportunities he can access utilizing his newfound skills.
“I’m feeling ecstatic,” Mr. Stewart said.
“I learned a lot in a short amount of time. It was very beneficial for not only my robotics training but it was beneficial for just general life,” he said. “Just having a good insight and perspective of how machinery works and operates.”
When Pierre Bajon, a graduate from the machining program, received his certificate, he was immediately embraced by Clint Longenecker, a member of the board for Cherry Street Mission.
They then walked over to a Cherry Street Mission photo backdrop, where Mr. Bajon smiled with pride while holding his certificate.
Mr. Bajon, who’s from Haiti, met Mr. Longenecker and his wife, Cindy, while the couple were on a routine mission trip to the country. The married couple said they’ve gone to mission trips in Mr. Bajon’s home country for 40 years.
“I’m feeling good,” Mr. Bajon said.
“I’m so proud of this guy,” Mr. Longenecker added. “He’s doing all of this in a third language.”