In celebration of Youth Employment Month, we proudly share the inspiring journey of Rylie Scudder and Sebastian Black, exceptional alumni of Northview Next's Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG) program. Their remarkable achievements exemplify the transformative power of JMG in helping youth overcome barriers and find their path to success.
Before joining JMG, both Rylie and Sebastian faced numerous obstacles in their education and were at risk of dropping out. However, their dedicated JMG specialist, Nick Smith, along with the Director of Northview Next High School, Drew Klopcic, recognized their potential and provided the necessary support and guidance to overcome these challenges. Drew expressed, “I honestly believe that JMG and our program gave them confidence and that was all that they needed. They were students who had all the skills to begin with; they just didn't know it. By participating in the JMG curriculum and going through our program, they were able to find ways to bring those skills and attributes out that have helped them to become successful.”
Through JMG, Rylie and Sebastian gained valuable experiences through career exploration, networking, and employment opportunities, enabling them to make informed decisions about their futures. Thanks to the support of JMG, Rylie and Sebastian achieved several milestones: they graduated on time, secured full-time employment with benefits at Amway post-graduation, and developed positive relationships with several mentors. Currently, Rylie and Sebastian are working as Lab Technicians at Amway, with their future goal being to advance to supervisory roles within the company.
Reflecting on his experience, Rylie expressed his gratitude, stating, "The JMG program at Northview Next helped me develop important life skills and taught me what to expect from a boss. JMG provided the foundation I needed to succeed in life and helped shape the person I am today."
Sebastian added, "Part of JMG was more focused on real-life skills. It taught me practical things like how to afford a house and finance a car. These were realistic topics that directly helped me when I got hired at 19 years old without any financial understanding. Suddenly having a job like this, I was grateful for the knowledge and skills I gained from JMG, as it enabled me to handle my money effectively."
Rylie and Sebastian's story serves as a testament to the resilience and determination required to overcome challenges. Their success shines a light on the transformative power of JMG and underscores the significance of partnerships with organizations like Amway in creating life-changing opportunities for youth.
During Youth Employment Month, let us be reminded of the importance of investing in youth and equipping them with the skills needed to overcome barriers and succeed in education, employment, and life. If you are interested in learning more about how our partnership with Amway helps youth achieve a future beyond imagination, read the article under the Partner Profile section.