Grit and Growth

Huron County – TJ and Rian were Juniors at Elkton/Pigeon/Bay Port High School (Lakers). They had interviewed at Green Acre Landscaping in Bad Axe for summer employment. Both also qualified for the Young Professional Program – Paid Work Experience Program through GST Michigan Works! in Bad Axe to help youth gain work skills, but even more importantly, work habits. The process of getting up every day, on time and ready to work is important for youth to learn.

GST Michigan Works! had placed some young adults with Green Acre Landscaping in the past and were happy to partner with them again this year to place our Young Professionals. Neither TJ nor Rian had their driver’s license, so GST assisted with bus passes to get them back and forth to work along with paying their wages for 60 days.  

Green Acre Landscaping was happy to have the boys and gave them up to 40 hours of work each week. The boys enjoyed working and worked until later in the summer when football practice started. It was difficult to do both, but the boys continued to do their best and work the hours they could.

TJ and Rian successfully completed the Young Professional Program – Paid Work Experience. This fall, you could find them both on the football field playing for Lakers High School or in a classroom working toward completing their senior year of high school.

Enjoy your year, TJ and Rian!