Ruth Mott Foundation Awards GST Michigan Works! $54,000

Ruth Mott Foundation Awards GST Michigan Works! $54,000

Press Release – For Immediate Release

Ruth Mott Foundation Awards GST Michigan Works! $54,000  

Continuing the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates Program in Flint

Flint –  GST Michigan Works! has been awarded $54,000 for a second consecutive of the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program.  Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is a program of Youth Solutions, Inc. a youth opportunity non-profit delivering promising practices to vulnerable youth populations across the state. Through its Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates programming, Youth Solutions envisions a Michigan where all young people are educated, employed, and career-bound. Youth Solutions is a proud partner of GST Michigan Works! in delivering impactful education and employment-related services to young people in the Flint community.

“We are thrilled for the partnership with the Ruth Mott Foundation to be able to offer this great program to north Flint’s youth,” said Jody Kerbyson, CEO of GST Michigan Works! “This additional funding allows us to expand services and offer additional opportunities to continue to grow great leaders in our city.”

Last year in Flint, 46% of the youth served by the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program resided in north Flint. Among the youth successfully graduating, 50% chose to continue their education.  100% of graduates were employed and/or continuing their education during follow-up.

Kristin Harrington, Executive Director of Youth Solutions is looking forward to expanding the program further in Flint. “Last year, our JMG program in Flint equipped nearly 250 young people with the skills necessary to overcome barriers and win in education, employment, and as citizens,” said Harrington, “Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is a program that is deeply rooted in the Flint community through partnerships with GST Michigan Works!, Mott Community College, and Flint City School District. We are incredibly fortunate that the Ruth Mott Foundation recognizes the value of this program and partnerships and the impact they are having on young peoples’ lives.”

Solutions offered by the program include dropout prevention, dropout recovery, and a school-to-Career component in which students participate in employability skills training and career exposure activities that prepare them for the workplace. Once diplomas are in hand, program specialists help graduates secure employment. GST Michigan Works! also offers JMG programming to the Flint community that is focused on system-involved youth populations. GST Michigan Works! also offers JMG programming to the Flint community that is focused on system-involved youth populations. Through the Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) program, young adults ages 14 to 26 who are in foster care, involved in the criminal justice system, or are homeless can receive additional services through JMG.

To learn more about Youth Solutions and its Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates programming, visit www.ouryouthsolutions.org.

GST Michigan Works! serves the business and talent needs of Huron, Genesee, Lapeer, Shiawassee and Tuscola counties. For more information please visit: www.gstmiworks.org.

###

Download the Release Here