On Friday, January 25, the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program at Windover High School welcomed 31 new members into the organization’s Career Association through the annual Initiation and Installation (I&I) Ceremony.
Public and private-sector stakeholders, school officials and community members all gathered to celebrate the incoming JMG students. JMG is a program of Youth Solutions, Inc. a statewide youth opportunity organization equipping young people with the skills needed to overcome barriers and advance in education, employment and as citizens. The JMG program in Midland is operated in conjunction with Windover High School with support from local partners and staff.
Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates and the national affiliate, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) have been proven to change the game in education and youth employment. Over its 36-year history across 33 states, JAG has doubled the rates of employment and post-secondary education for underserved youth and tripled the rate of full-time employment compared to their counterparts.
Each year, JMG programs across the state elect Career Association student leaders. The I&I Ceremony is the official induction of the programs’ leadership. Windover JMG students that were elected to leadership roles include Haley Hammond (President and Social Media Chair), Alex Laughton (Vice President), William Conklin (Secretary), and Cora Coin (Historian). Career Association leaders are responsible for planning year-round community service events, making programming recommendations, representing the program at state and national leadership events and competing in employability skills competitions.
Many community members were present to support the Career Association, including State Senator and Midland resident Jim Stamas, who has been very supportive of Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates programming.
Gina Wilson, the principal of Windover High School, spoke during the ceremony and is an avid supporter of the program. “Our school is so fortunate to have this partnership with Jobs for Michigan graduates. It gives students the opportunity to learn and build skills around college and careers,” says Willson. “But more than that, the leadership skills students garner are truly priceless.”
Windover and JMG are now in their second year of partnership, while the program has been running statewide for 10 years.
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