Albany leaders, nonprofit and businesses mobilize aid after Turner Job Corps closure

Commissioner John Howe (Ward 1, East Albany) convened a community meeting to coordinate local help after the Turner Job Corps lost federal funding and the federal budget was finalized without Job Corps support.

"We have been chosen to open the account so the community will be able to donate," said Fonda Thompson, executive director of Open Arms, the local nonprofit that will manage a donation account to aid displaced students. Thompson provided Open Arms' address, 420 Pine Avenue, and a phone number for donations: (229) 431-1121; the agency's crisis line is (229) 431-0217.

Evelyn Ross, identified in the meeting as affiliated with Renaissance Bank, said the bank will partner with Open Arms to hold and disburse donations and stressed privacy protections. "All contributions would therefore need to be made to Open Arms. They will manage all of the funds," Ross said.

An unnamed representative speaking for local business interests described the closure as a sudden, damaging decision for Albany and Daugherty County and urged the local private sector to contribute. The representative said his firm, the Fred Taylor Company, will "continue our financial support to support these young people in their transition," and warned of broader local economic effects, citing estimates of hundreds of employees and hundreds of students affected.

City and community leaders framed the effort as a stopgap while students and staff navigate a "transitional period" and seek placements; one speaker noted that funds potentially available from the U.S. Department of Labor are likely to be insufficient to meet all needs. Officials and partners did not report any formal local funding allocation or vote at the meeting; instead, they emphasized coordination with Open Arms and Turner Job Corps to channel private donations.

Speakers also placed the turnout in a broader policy context. Commissioner Howe urged residents to review the federal budget materials and related policy proposals discussed publicly in policy forums. He said the budget will start on Oct. 1, 2025, and that Job Corps funding was not included in the 2026 federal budget, which prompted the local response.

The meeting ended with organizers thanking donors and noting some in-kind contributions already received, including donated suitcases for students preparing to leave the facility. No formal motions or votes were recorded; organizers said they will continue to coordinate donations and transition support through Open Arms and partner agencies.