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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
May 16, 2019     Shelton Mason County Journal
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May 16, 2019
 
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Page A-22 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, May 16, 2019 ABOVE: Shawna Norberg attempts to hammer 10 nails flush with the board within 60 seconds during a practice skills test Monday in Belfair. Norberg is one of the first graduates of the Trades Related Apprenticeship Coaching (TRAC) program at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women. BELOW: The first graduating class of Mission Creek's TRAC program includes: (back row left to right) Jennifer Eberle, Jacquelyn Bouton, Aubrey De Santiago, Jami Spies, Norberg, Konstance Kenrick and Annie Faalogo (front). They are accompanied by instructor John Brown. Herald photo by Dana Kampa nts set h ar m tests - ? continued from page A-19 challenges. On a construction site, where footpaths are con- stantly changing and objects are left in the way, workers need to be able to carry cum-- bersome wooden beams or ma- neuver a wheelbarrow with ease and without endangering others. Brown gave the trainees pointers on potential pitfalls of the testing, encouraging them to clearly demonstrate techniques they've been prac- ticing the past 20 weeks. "Don't underestimate what you've learned," Brown told the group. Tramees gmn their certi- fication in cement masonry, the laborers union, carpentry and iron working, though they can choose an area in which to specialize. Brown said this gives them preferred entry into those unions. Laborers was one of the most popular because of its variety. "It suits me," said trainee Annie Faalogo. "It fits my mind set. I like to be the first one in, last one out. And I hope to be a labor foreman sooner rather than later. I'm good with people, and I'm good at getting the job done." Trainee Jennifer- Eberle said carpentry attracted her because she appreciates how woodworking plays a role from beginning to end on a con- struction site, in both indus- trial and commercial work. Two TRAC students were not present for training that day, only because they al- ready found apprenticeships. "Brown said the ,trainees have gone above and beyond in their studies. In addition to" building the very facil- ity where they trained, and where future TRAC students will learn, the Mission Creek grads tackled hours upon hours of homework. For their class project, they built shelters for the cen- ter's beehives to help protect against heavy rains. "We're pretty proud that we contribute to the commu- nity here," Brown said. Trainees also took great pride in helping establish a successful new program at the facility, with hopefully many Billy, hindered the TRAC fa- cility construction for a day and a half. He was firmly lodged in the soft, right at the cusP of the depth the crew needed to dig the foundation. "We were breakin~ teeth off the drill rig trying to get him out of there," Brown said, crediting Faalogo with finally winning the war, After successfully excavat- ing Billy, trainees painted eyes on him and Billy be- came a great listener for any- one who needed to voice frus- trations. TRAC teaches both prac- tical and soft skills, which Brown said is especially im- graduates to follow. Eberle said she especially appreciated learning how to build strong relationships with peers, a skill she antici- pates will carry over into her work. "We come to prison, and it's not a place you would come to thinking you'll be able to trust in others, Confide in others and have high exPectations of others," Eberle said. "But TRAC has been the exact op- posite of that." Trainee Aubrey De San- tiago said she feels that she's grown a lot as a person through the program. "All the girls that are up here every single day, we go through a-lot," De Santiago said. "It brings us closer. TRAC, for me, is more like a family than just inmates." Though they enjoyed the work, it wasn't always easy. Their mascot, a "heavy as heck" granite boulder named portant for trainees working to break into a, field that is historically male dominated, while also defying the stigma of a criminal background. "It can be a real hurdle," Brown said when it comes to fitting in with a crew. ':We walk through a lot of that. My goal is to take some of the fear - out of it. You do that by edu- catirfg and giving them those soft skills.'" Brown said it means TRAC trainees have to work that much harder to excel, and they do. 'Wge just completed labor- ers preconstrnetion training last'week, and Ms. (Jami) Spies kicked butt," Brown said. "She scored the highest for the laborer testing." He said TRAC graduates tend to score high in certi- fication testing. One TRAC graduate from Purdy Womens Correctional Facility in Gig Harbor recently ranked firsl in the iron working testing to provide ~that" ir~surance - and not just among TRAC students, but of all 50 people. Brown said TRAC students routinely place in the top I0 percent. As he explained when Mis- sion Creek first launched the program, setting inmates up to enter the workforce-with a living-wage job and benefits both reduces recidivism rates and sets them up to be posi- tive forces in the community. "A lot of these women are mothers, and to be able and things for your family is huge," Brown said. Of the seven graduates, four will leave Mission Creek within two weeks of gradua- tion, poised to pursue careers in the field. '%Ve've had some amaz- ing successes, and we haven't even graduated a class yet," Brown said. "The program works. It's obviously not a solution for everyone, but for some women here, it is. It's life changing)' +