Youth Worker Starts on Career Path

posted 3/2/24 -- Jabez Martinez’s plans for life after high school are coming together, thanks, in part, to the support he received as an LCCAA Youth Services Worker.

Martinez graduated from Lorain High School in 2023 after studying in its career tech program on welding, earning several awards along the way. Working with OhioMeansJobs Lorain County, he was assigned to LCCAA and helped convert the former Bike Shop into the new Produce Center last August.

“He’s worked very, very hard,” said Produce Center Manager Deirdre Paynter. “He’s pretty much met all the goals he set for himself.”

Martinez has just completed his six months with the Youth Services program and passed the exam required to join Pipefitters Local 120 in Cleveland as a welder. After a difficult freshman year, Martinez joined the welding program and worked his way onto the honor roll.

“Originally, I chose welding because I knew it was a good career, moneywise,” he said. “But in my second year, I fell in love with the art.”

Entering the OMJ program after graduation gave him time to get his driver’s license and buy a car. The union could send him anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours away to work. He also learned a lot from staff in the center and enjoyed helping set up the Produce Center.

“I like being able to have a direct impact on things, and make something better,” he said. “It was a very fun six months.

Martinez plans to take advantage of all the benefits of his union including college classes. He hopes to learn about investing and eventually become an entrepreneur.

“I feel like I have more to me than an average person,” he said. “I like being somebody that someone can look up to.”

Martinez has two older sisters and two younger brothers who do look up to him, he said. Since his six months in the program has ended he is looking for a temporary job until he’s fully integrated into the union.

Paynter said Martinez’s natural curiosity and dedication have been strong assets in setting up the Produce Center. He never missed a day of work and was always on time and willing to perform any task.

“We’re overall very proud of how far he’s come,” Paynter said. “He’s done an amazing job.”