“I think that’s my biggest takeaway is just the passion that the instructors have,” says Alex Sanchez, facility director of MTC’s IAH Secure Adult Detention Facility.

At a recent leadership conference of MTC’s corrections division, attendees visited the Hawaii Job Corps Center.

“What sets MTC apart is its origins in helping people improve their lives, and the foundation was in helping youth through Job Corps,” says Leann Bertsch, senior vice president of MTC corrections. “So, I really wanted the wardens to see the wonderful work that’s being done at this center, and also have an opportunity to understand the education and training part of MTC.”

“It’s critical for other leaders in our organization, outside of the education and training division, to be exposed to Job Corps and what we’ve accomplished for over 40 years,” says MTC President Dan Marquardt. “I hope that not only do they get to see the services that we’re providing and our dedication to the students here, but I hope that they really can come away with the sense of the culture that has been built within, not only the Hawaii Job Corps Center, but MTC’s education and training division overall.”

Jeff Barton is the senior vice president of MTC’s education and training division. He oversees MTC’s Job Corps operations.

“At our core,” says Jeff, “We are a training company. And I think whether we’re at a correctional facility or at a Job Corps center, there’s always something that can be learned from a visit, as it relates to training and management, which at our base is what we do.”

Linda Brown is the director of the Miami North Community Release Center. “Yeah, there is definitely a connection,” she agrees. “I think that we can help each other in what we do.”

“It’s always good to know where you came from,” adds Alex. “Knowing how the company started and now to where it is expanded, even into corrections, but all with the same mission: Changing people’s lives.”

“I enjoyed seeing the students engaged in the learning processes that they have in place here,” says Tracy Price, facility director at the Panama City Community Release Center. “It actually gave me some ideas to take back to my center.”

“What impressed me was the way that the instructors have this passion for their students,” states Rick Martinez, warden of the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility.

“And it was it was kind of neat,” adds Steve Mora, facility administrator of the Bluebonnet Detention Center, “To see that the students reciprocated the same feeling towards their instructors.”

Misty Edwards is the director of the HOPE Transitional Treatment Center. “It wasn’t just a tour,” she explains. “But the kids that were talking to us, the young adults that were talking to us, and just seeing their motivation. This was the most inspired I’ve been in I don’t know how long. I teared up several times.”

“Because the principles that MTC started when they started their Job Corps operation was providing people with hope, skills, and an opportunity for a better life,” says Francisco Venegas, facility administrator at the El Valle Detention Facility. “I think that was a natural progression to the corrections industry and now the detention industry. Because that is what the effort is geared to – making people better as they leave our facilities.”

“I think Mr. [Robert] Marquardt, [MTC’s late founder], wanted to make sure that the value that he started with at Job Corps would remain in a prison setting,” adds Donald Jackson, warden of the East Mississippi Correctional Facility. “And I think he’s done very well, and I think the company has done very well, and his legacy lives on.”