Jeffrey Mosher talks with Katy Timmer, Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates Specialist at Potterville High School. They discuss how Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is a state-based affiliate of the National Jobs for America’s Graduates organization.

JAG is one of the largest and most successful school-to-work systems for at-risk and disadvantaged young people in the U.S. Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates’ mission is to equip young adults with the skills to overcome barriers and win in education, employment and as citizens. The core model components of the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates model includes: competency-based curriculum, adult mentoring, advisement and support, summer employment training/work experiences, student-led leadership development, job and post-secondary education placement services, followup services and accountability system.

The upcoming year will be the fifth year in which the Jobs for America’s Graduates/Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program has been provided to students in Eaton County. Currently, the in-school program is offered to students at Potterville High School. 

Capital Area Michigan Works! as a region earned the coveted Jobs for America’s Graduates’ “5-of-5” award this year. Jobs for America’s Graduates recognizes states and sites for achieving or surpassing the“5 of 5” performance outcomes, including:

o Graduation rate of 90 percent

o Positive outcomes rate of 80 percent

o Employment rate of 60 percent

o Full-time jobs rate of 60 percent

o Full-time placement rate of 80 percent

The two established sites in our region at Potterville High School and Woodcreek Achievement Center in the Lansing School District. In Eaton County, Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is expanding to include an out-of-school model, which is a dropout recovery program serving young people ages 16-24 who would like to earn their GED or high school diploma. They will also receive mentoring services, learn employability and leadership skills, and will be eligible to be placed in a paid work experience to learn job skills.

This program will take place at the new Capital Area Michigan Works! Charlotte Service Center at 945 Reynolds Road in Charlotte, but it will serve youth across the county.

Individuals interested in learning more about this program can call 517-816-6980.
For more information about Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates, visit www.jobsformigrads.org

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