Callicoon Job Corps Students Return After Court Stops Sudden Closure

The future of the Delaware Valley Job Corps Center in Callicoon — and dozens of similar training centers nationwide — remains uncertain, but a federal court ruling has temporarily halted efforts to shut them down.

On Wednesday, a U.S. District Court judge in New York City granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from proceeding with its plan to suspend operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers across the country. That includes the Delaware Valley Job Corps in Sullivan County.

The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the National Job Corps Association against the U.S. Department of Labor, arguing that only Congress has the authority to dismantle the long-running workforce training program for low-income youth.

A Sudden Closure Order
Jennifer Cha, of Adams and Associates, which operates the Callicoon-based center, told Radio Catskill the center received a “termination for convenience” notice from the Department of Labor on May 29. The order directed them to immediately stop all student training, begin sending students home, and shutter the facility by June 30.

“We were told to immediately start sending students home and provide a list of any students that would not be gone within a week,” said Cha. “It was not a pause — it was a closure.”

The sudden shutdown would have affected 177 students and 101 staff members, many of whom were left reeling from the uncertainty. The center is one of the largest employers in Sullivan County.

Vulnerable Students Caught in the Middle
Among the most at-risk students are those without stable housing. Nationally, about 20% of Job Corps students are unhoused or aging out of foster care. Cha confirmed that while some students were able to return home, others had no safe place to go.

“We do not send any students away without them having a home of record to go to,” she said, noting that several housing-insecure students remained on site. “Luckily, we were granted the restraining order and did not have to proceed with full closure.”

Training Resumes — For Now
The June 4 ruling allowed the center to resume operations, restart training, and begin welcoming students back. As of this week, about 100 students are back at the Delaware Valley campus, continuing their pursuit of high school diplomas, trade certifications, and internship experiences.

“For many, they were just about to complete their program — earn a diploma, a certification, or finish an internship,” Cha explained. “Everything halted. But this ruling allowed us to restart and help students continue building the future they’ve been dreaming of.”

More Than a School
Established under President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, Job Corps offers free residential career training for low-income individuals aged 16 to 24. At the Delaware Valley center, students train in eight different trades, work toward high school diplomas or GEDs, and receive life skills training — from budgeting to reading a lease.

“The program is 24/7 — academic, technical, and independent living skills are all taught in a supportive environment,” said Cha. “It prepares young people not just to work, but to live independently.”

Staff and Community on Edge
While no staff layoffs have occurred yet, Cha acknowledged that the initial closure order caused deep anxiety.

“There’s been no employment impact so far, but definitely emotional impact — fear and concern for the students, and for their own futures,” she said.

The court’s temporary ruling has brought some relief, but uncertainty looms ahead of a scheduled injunction hearing on June 17.

“It’s a moment to breathe,” Cha said. “But we’re cautiously optimistic.”

A Call to Action
Cha urged community members to support the program by contacting their congressional representatives.
“This program is critical in rural communities like Sullivan County. Not every student goes to college — we need skilled tradespeople,” she said. “When these students graduate, they become contributing members of society. Their tax dollars go on to support future students.”

She also expressed gratitude to local residents and leaders: “Sullivan County has been so supportive. And now, with everything happening, we just ask people to raise their voices and let our leaders know Job Corps matters.”

A court hearing on the future of Job Corps centers nationwide, including the Delaware Valley location, is scheduled for June 17.

Image: Students and employers attend a career fair at Delaware Valley Job Corps last July. (Credit: Delaware Valley Job Corps/Adams and Associates)