COVID-19 has shut down most of the country. Schools closed, stores closed, the nation effectively shuttered. This unprecedented virus has sent most of the students placed at the Pittsburgh Job Corps program home for the summer. With only 8 students and the handful of staff left on campus, this group has begun a truly remarkable act of community service.
Creating a makeshift production facility out of the Arts and Crafts room, and using whatever material available; the Pittsburgh Job Corps Center has shown that a little effort can go a long way. Cutting up cloth, sizing it up for stitching these young adults, many with no prior experience, have been making masks for the staff at the local Southwestern Veterans Center. This effort had provided the center dozens of masks; helping to keep our healthcare workers safe as they fight this invisible enemy.
Thank you Christjon Malloy, Florence Williams, Celine Nista, George Febre, Rebecca Blackburn, Regis Lux and the rest of the Pittsburg Job Corps Center students and staff for your tremendous efforts.
Story & Photos originally by Pittsburg Post-Gazette. Find the full article here
For more information about the Job Corps Program, please visit https: eckerd.org/jobcorps
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- A sign announcing the making of face masks for Southwestern Veterans Center is posted on a door outside of the Arts and Crafts room. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Face masks prepared by students and staff that are ready for stitching in the Arts and Crafts room. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Celine Nista holds up a finished mask in the Arts and Crafts room prepared by students and staff. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Florence Williams, left, works at the assembly table preparing face mask for stitching in the Arts and Crafts room. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Regis Lux, left, draws a cutting line on fabric, as George Febre, center, and Rebecca Blackburn, right, look on at the cutting and pleading table in the Arts and Crafts room. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Celine Nista, left, gives face masks prepared by students and staff to Erin Rakow, deputy commandant at the Southwestern Veterans Center. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Christjon Malloy works at the assembly table preparing face mask for stitching in the Arts and Crafts room. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Celine Nista, stitches together face mask for stitching in the Arts and Crafts room. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Christjon Malloy works at the assembly table preparing face mask for stitching in the Arts and Crafts room. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
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- Pittsburgh Job Corps staff and residential student make face masks in the Arts and Crafts room. Photo: Pittsburg Post-Gazette
