Meet Our July Specialist of the Month: Allison Oakes

This month, we’re excited to recognize Allison Oakes, a dedicated Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) specialist from Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium’s Atlanta and Mio Service Centers. With decades of experience in education and youth development, Allison brings a compassionate, practical, and supportive approach to helping young people overcome barriers and achieve their goals.

Before becoming a JMG Specialist five years ago, Allison spent nearly 30 years working with Head Start, where she held leadership and management roles supporting children and families. Prior to that, she taught students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and even ran a cooperative nursery program. Her career has always centered on helping others learn, grow, and succeed.

For Allison, becoming a JMG Specialist represented an opportunity to step away from management and return to direct service work. While the population she serves has changed, the heart of her work remains the same. “What I did in Head Start was very similar,” she shared. “I just did it with families as opposed to young people.”

What motivates Allison most is helping participants navigate challenges and access the support they need to reach their goals. Whether it’s finding work clothes, securing housing assistance, enrolling in training, or simply understanding the next steps in a process, she is committed to helping young people move forward with confidence.

One of Allison’s favorite success stories involves a recent graduate who struggled to settle on a career path. After exploring several options, he became interested in becoming a Merchant Mariner—a career that requires navigating a lengthy and often complicated certification process. Although Allison worried the process might feel overwhelming, he stayed committed and followed through. Today, he is in his second year working aboard a ship on the Great Lakes and regularly sends Allison photos from his travels, including stunning views of the Northern Lights. Knowing he has found stability and a career he enjoys has been incredibly rewarding.

Allison believes one of the biggest challenges facing youth today is simply not knowing where to start. Many young people are expected to navigate complex systems and processes without having someone to guide them. From applying for benefits and accessing healthcare to building a resume or enrolling in college, these tasks can feel overwhelming without support.

Through JMG, Allison helps bridge those gaps by providing guidance, encouragement, and practical assistance. She understands that many youth and their families are in survival mode and may not have access to the information or resources needed to move forward.

One of the greatest joys of her role is watching young people overcome barriers and realize they are capable of more than they imagined. She recently worked with a young woman who was nervous about attending college because she lacked support at home. Allison encouraged her to attend financial aid workshops and take advantage of the resources available to her. The student followed through, gained confidence, and is now preparing to attend Lake Superior State University this fall.

Allison also believes JMG plays an important role in helping youth find a sense of belonging. While some youth may not see themselves participating in sports or other traditional extracurricular activities, JMG provides an opportunity to be part of a team, build relationships, and experience success. She recalls handing out JMG graduation cords to students who were surprised and excited to receive recognition for their hard work. Moments like those remind her how meaningful it is for young people to feel valued and included.

Outside of work, Allison enjoys reading a wide variety of books, traveling, exploring estate sales, and spending time with family. 

Congratulations, Allison Oakes, on being named our July Specialist of the Month! Thank you for your dedication, encouragement, and unwavering commitment to helping Michigan’s youth overcome obstacles, build confidence, and create brighter futures.

Nominations are open to ALL, including our employer partners! If you know a phenomenal specialist, we encourage you to  [nominate them here] for our August Specialist of the Month.