14-05-2025
JARI program grads laud workforce offering
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – When Robin Wright signed up for the first cohort of the Johnstown Housing Authority's workforce readiness program, she saw an opportunity to be lifted up not only for herself but for her daughter as well, she said.
Now, Wright is set to graduate from the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center auto-technology program, and Sha'Nya Henry, her daughter, is wrapping up her credits at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and was accepted to Drexel University for the upcoming fall term.
'This is a great program,' Wright said. 'I suggest everybody who can get into it, get into it.'
She and Henry credit the offering for giving them the boost they needed to better their lives.
Prior to participating last year, Wright was unemployed, and Henry had just moved back to the area after caring for her ailing father in Virginia.
Wright was worried about her daughter, she said, and prodded her to join the workforce readiness program, which both agreed was a good choice.
They also noted that participating in the first cohort of the program brought them closer together.
'I loved getting to do this with my daughter,' Wright said.
Henry, 20, agreed, adding that they pushed each other during the multi-month classes and held each other accountable.
'Teamwork makes the dream work,' Wright said.
The workforce readiness program started last year and is paid for with a federal appropriation of $250,000.
JHA provides the opportunity through a partnership with Johnstown Area Regional Industries, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and PA CareerLink.
Those residing in JHA locations, such as Wright and Henry in the Oakhurst neighborhood, can sign up for the classes that focus on a variety of subjects, such as resume building, mock interviews, communication skills and digital literacy.
Bus passes and child care are provided as well.
Dave Grimaldi, JARI director of workforce development, said the program gives area residents that 'little push' they need to better themselves, and those involved are glad to lend a hand.
'We'll work with everybody in our JHA program and get them what they want,' he said.
For Wright, that was leveraging the program for assistance through the JARI Neighborhood Assistance Program she used for tuition at GJCTC and in Henry's case, it was help getting into Penn Highlands.
Henry can now continue her studies at Drexel, where she'll major in English with a focus on creative writing, and Wright can pursue her dream of owning her own auto body shop.
Wright and Henry 'are just two great success stories of our program,' Grimaldi said.
Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky said he was so impressed by the story about the mother and daughter team that he had to meet them. He did so Tuesday at a JARI event.
He said he was inspired by the results of the JARI program and how it lifts up those involved.
Chernisky congratulated Wright and Henry for their success, lauded their dedication and wished them well in future pursuits.
The third cohort from the workforce readiness program is set to graduate in June with the fourth starting in September.
Between those events, Grimaldi said JARI is planning mini-career fairs, workforce trainings and related offerings.
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Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
