Building Confidence and Career Success: Chloe’s Journey with JMG

Chloe VanWestrienen often struggled with confidence, which made stepping into new environments and large groups feel overwhelming. That uncertainty held her back from finding employment and gaining valuable work experience. Without those opportunities, building a clear path toward stability seemed out of reach.

Struggling to set goals for her future, Chloe left traditional high school to attend Link Learning, a non-traditional virtual high school for at-risk youth that offers personalized support. Her school counselor at Link Learning referred her to the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program through Michigan Works! West Central Mecosta County Service Center where she was connected with JMG specialist Jessica Lundy.

Through JMG and with the support of Lundy, Chloe’s path began to shift. She started exploring new opportunities that pushed her gently outside her comfort zone and participated in activities that helped her grow both personally and professionally. She gained hands-on experience through a YouthWorks work experience in the Manistee National Forest, challenged herself at Leadership Day, attended Legislative Day for the first time, and even presented at the Career Development Conference—an achievement she once believed was far out of reach. Each step helped her build confidence and discover new strengths.

“Chloe is an incredibly motivated, determined young lady. She never fails to acknowledge the people in her life who seek to support and encourage her and has never turned down an opportunity to showcase her greatness, no matter how nervous it has made her,” Lundy shared. 

As Chloe considered long-term employment, her specialist encouraged her to explore roles that matched her developing skills. With support in updating her resume and preparing for the application process, Chloe applied for—and secured—a full-time environmental services position at Corewell Health in Big Rapids. The job offered stability, skill-building, and a sense of independence. Throughout the onboarding process, Chloe overcame challenges that once felt impossible, proving to herself that she was capable of far more than she believed.

“From the beginning, she quickly outlined her priorities and asked how we could work together to meet her goals. She knows that we deeply value her leadership skills, caring personality, and ability to ask great questions. It has been an honor to watch this young lady grow into the wonderful adult that she is over the past year,” Lundy reflected.

Chloe’s immediate goal is to continue working and become self-sufficient. While her current role at Corewell Health could lead to a career in healthcare, she is also interested in exploring other opportunities, such as early childhood education.

Now, Chloe is looking ahead with clarity and purpose. She is on track to graduate from Link Learning in Spring 2026, maintains full-time employment, and serves as a peer mentor to other JMG youth. She continues to support her peers at meetings and events and recently spoke on a panel during the statewide Youth Solutions Summer Summit—another huge milestone for her.

“I’m most proud about the amount of confidence I gained,” Chloe shared. “A few years ago, I never would have imagined talking in front of a whole room of people. Each nudge outside my comfort zone became a new adventure.”