Meet Annie Herrington. Author of seven novels, Broward County Schools staff member, homeowner and class of 2002 Homestead Job Corps Center graduate. “I credit job corps with preparing me for life. I absolutely couldn’t be happier with my life. I enjoy every day and am grateful for those who helped me along the way. I am still in touch with some members of the Homestead Job Corps Center staff and they continue to encourage me on my journey” stated Herrington in a recent phone conversation with Homestead Job Corps Center staff member and mentor Rita Franklin. Herrington keeps in touch with and continually updates Franklin on her progress. An author of seven novels (some based on her own life), Herrington will soon publish her eighth novel, entitled “The Encounter.”
Herrington works with high school young adults at a Broward county school for the past ten years (at the same school) as a behavior monitor. She was brought up in foster homes and there were so many people in her life who “energized” her that she wanted to give back to others, especially young adults. She credits her foster mom for telling her about Job Corps. Herrington enrolled in Job Corps at the young age of only 17. She is 33 years old today and proudly states that she is working on her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. At Homestead Job Corps Center, she earned her high school diploma and completed Office Administration career technical training.
“My experience at Homestead Job Corps Center was warm, the staff were great and treated us like we were important; it was more than just a Residential Advisor (RA) or teacher, the staff made us feel wanted and cared for. It was simple, I came with the mindset to earn my high school diploma. I did, however, need a push and I got that push. I even got help once I completed with finding my first job and enrolling in City College” stated Herrington. “Once I finished Job Corps, I was much more independent. I didn’t go back to living at home. I got a roommate and an apartment. I then became a first time home buyer when I got the job at Broward County Schools. Job Corps prepared me for life.”
