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Albany leaders, Open Arms and bank partner launch donation effort after Turner Job Corps closure
Summary
Albany city leaders and local nonprofits organized a community donations account managed by Open Arms, with Renaissance Bank support, to assist students and staff displaced by the announced closure of Turner Job Corps; leaders urged businesses and residents to contribute.
Albany city officials and local nonprofit and business partners on Monday announced a community donation account to help students and employees affected by the closure of Turner Job Corps.
Commissioner John Howe, who identified himself as the city commissioner for Ward 1 (East Albany), said the federal 2026 budget—set to take effect Oct. 1, 2025—does not include Job Corps funding and that the Turner program’s students and staff face a transitional period without sufficient federal support. He said local action was needed to help those affected.
Open Arms, a child-abuse and youth services nonprofit, will open and manage the donations account, Open Arms executive director Fonda Thompson said. “We have been chosen to open the account so the community will be able to donate,” Thompson said, adding that Open Arms already partners with Turner Job Corps and can serve as a conduit for funds.
A Renaissance Bank representative introduced in the meeting as Evelyn Ross described safeguards around account privacy and access and said, “All contributions would therefore need to be made to Open Arms.” Ross said the bank and Open Arms will manage the account and that any distributions intended for students will be handled through Turner Job Corps Center.
An unidentified business representative urged Albany and Daugherty County companies to step up with financial support, citing the local economic consequences. The speaker said the closure would cost about 300 jobs and affect more than 500 students, and added that the decision came “with no notice to our local authorities,” a comment attributing the action to a federal administration. The speaker also said the Fred Taylor Company plans to continue financial support during the transition.
Commissioner Howe encouraged residents and businesses to review federal budget materials and policy documents referenced during the meeting, and he framed the closure as part of broader federal budget choices that he said will have local consequences. No federal remedy or new federal funding was announced during the meeting.
Open Arms provided contact information for donations and questions: physical address 420 Pine Avenue; phone (229) 431-1121; crisis line (229) 431-0217. Organizers also thanked community donors who provided clothing and suitcases to help students returning to their home communities.
City and county officials said they will continue to coordinate with nonprofit partners and local businesses while monitoring any federal actions or Department of Labor transitional supports that might become available.
