Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates Students Attend 2022 Legislative Day
March 21, 2022
Students in the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program coordinated by Northwest Michigan Works! attended the JMG Legislative Day March 9 in Lansing. A total of 23 students from northwest Lower Michigan participated in the event including Cadillac area students from the High School, Innovation High School, and Mackinaw Trail Middle School, CASMAN Academy in Manistee, East Jordan, Pellston, North Ed Career Tech Center in Traverse City, the Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center, and Northwestern Michigan College.
While they were in Lansing the students met with their legislators to discuss issues that are important to them and their community. The students also participated in a scavenger hunt in the capitol building. The northern Michigan legislators who met with JMG students were Representatives Ken Borton, Michele Hoitenga, Jack O’Malley, and John Roth and Senators Wayne Schmidt and Curt VanderWall.
“It’s important for Michigan legislators to know that JMG is providing crucial life skills and work experience for students,” said Eliana Reid, a JMG student at the North Ed Career Tech Center in Traverse City.
“I want government officials to know that JMG is a profound resource for students,” said Grace Hales, a JMG student at the North Ed Career Tech Center. “This not only opens the doorways for students who have grown up with little to no resources and connections, but it also tells students hey, we care about you, and we want to help!”
Jobs for Michigan's Graduates equips young people with the skills to overcome barriers and succeed in education, employment, and in life. It is the leading program of Youth Solutions, Inc., a premier youth opportunity organization delivering employability and education services to young people across the state.
Northwest Michigan Works! coordinates JMG programs at Cadillac’s Mackinaw Trail Middle School, Cadillac Public and Innovation High Schools, CASMAN Academy in Manistee, Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, the North Ed Career-Tech Center, the Wexford-Missaukee Career-Tech Center, and a college program at Northwestern Michigan College.
Networks Northwest always proves to be a valued resource for our local government planning efforts. No organization does a better job of convening partners, promoting collaboration, and reporting on the data than does Networks Northwest
- Ty Wessell, Leelanau County Commissioner