Job Corps to hold Day at the Park at Arena Park today

The Cape Girardeau division of Job Corps will hold its first Day at the Park today.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arena Park shelter No. 10 and will feature games, lunch and testimonies from participants in the job placement program.

"We are trying to increase the awareness of the program because recruitment here is low," said career transition specialist Shalawnda Manuel. "Of those who drop out, they don't know what their resources are to continue their education. And that's what we provide."

Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that assists people ages 16 through 24 with finding employment. It is in its third year in Cape Girardeau.

Today's festivities will begin with a kickball challenge. Area agencies scheduled to participate include Mers Goodwill, Boys and Girls Club and Missouri Mentoring Partnership, which also will bring participants from its New Madrid, Mo., office.

At 11:30 a.m., a lunch of hot dogs, chips and a granola bar will be offered. A graduate of the Job Corps program will speak about his or her experience with the program and their success after graduating.

Job Corps officials will have open enrollment for interested applicants throughout the event.

Manuel expects 100 people to attend the free event, which is open to the public.