Meet Our Youth
They inspire us every day; they are the heartbeat of our programs;
OUR YOUTH.
Youth and Alumni of the Year
Every year, three outstanding youth from our premier program, Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG), are recognized for their leadership skills. Two current program participants and one alumni receive this annual recognition for their success and accomplishments in the program and beyond.
Year - Name - JMG Program
2015 - Le'Trece Gonzalez - Woodcreek Achievement Center
2016 - Luke Wagner - Kalamazoo RESA
2016 - Takyeshia Spicer - Detroit Employment Solutions
2017 - Daniell Doctor - JMG-LEAP
2018 - Natasha (Rzanca) Terrell - Gwinn High School
2018 - DeAnthony Purnell - Flint Southwestern
2019 - Chloressa Wren - Northwestern High School
2019 - Lewis Williams - Cody Academy of Public Leadership
2019 - Caitlin Steele - Hartford High School
2019 - Tamia Clay - Benton Harbor High School
2020 - Juwan Trainer - Ingham County Jail
2020 - Cheyenne McMillion - Kalamazoo County
2020 - Kyra Gibson - Marquette Alger Technical Middle College
2021 - Melanie Gunn - Michigan Works! Southwest
2021 - Amari McKinney - Bridge Academy
2021 - Crystal Steele - Hartford High School
2022 - Delann Pillivant - Pershing High School
2022 - Samantha Finch - Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College
2022 - Irais Cortez - Hartford High School
2023 - Brooke Modro - Hartford High School
2023 - Saylar Busher - Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan
2023 - Lailah Smith - Downriver Community Conference
2024 - RJ Hudson - GST Michigan Works!, Family Literacy Center
2024- Sawyer Keene - Networks Northwest, Cadillac High School
2024 - August Doerr - Capital Area MW!, Lansing School District
2025 - Shunya Caughn - Benton Harbor High School, Youth Solutions
2025 - Jeremiah Smith - Capital Area Michigan Works! Clinton County Service Center
2025 - MD Kolil- Pershing High School, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Congratulations 2025 Youth of the Year
Every year, three outstanding youth from our premier program, Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG), are recognized for their leadership skills at our annual Career Development Conference (CDC). Two current program participants and one alumni receive this annual recognition for their success and accomplishments in the program and beyond. All three are outstanding assets to the Youth Solutions community.
_edited.jpg)
Career Development Conference
Winners
The Career Development Conference (CDC) is Youth Solutions’ annual event where youth have the opportunity to showcase the skills they have learned throughout the year in the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program. Check out the first, second and third place 2024 JMG Spotlight winners below.
Youth Spotlight
Attending college classes as a high school student and speaking about my experiences in public — it’s scary, but my Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates experiences prepared me for it. Being a female in a male-dominated field could be intimidating, but with more young ladies as mentors and apprentices, it’s less scary. It’s now my reality and my goal.
Cheyenne Holcomb
Negaunee High School and Marquette Alger Technical Middle College