Over 200 JMG Youth Lead the Conversation at 2026 Legislative Day

Over 200 Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) youth, specialists, and staff from across Michigan came together in Lansing recently to meet with legislators and advocate for the program at Youth Solutions’ annual Legislative Day held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

The event paired select youth from 60 JMG programs and their specialists with state representatives from their district. Team members at Youth Solutions worked with political strategists from Midwest Strategy in downtown Lansing to coordinate schedules and arrange meetings with over 20 legislators and staffers.

Youth Solutions Executive Director Roger Curtis kicked off the event in the morning by thanking students for their attendance and noting the impact of their attendance for the day. 

“Today is about stepping confidently into your role as ambassadors for yourselves, your communities, and for the thousands of young people across Michigan who rely on JMG. Today, you are not just participants— you are advocates with a powerful story to tell,” Curtis said.

Throughout the day, youth and their specialists attended meetings with senators, representatives, and staff members from their district. In some cases, multiple programs were paired together. During the meetings the youth were given an opportunity to speak to advocate for the JMG program, sharing their personal stories of how the program has impacted them. 

Between meetings with legislatures, students took a break for lunch and had an opportunity to listen to an aspiring Q&A session with Representatives Jasper Martus (69th House District) and Parker Fairbairn (107th House District). Angela Thomas from the JMG program at GST Michigan Works! Flint Service Center had the honor of introducing Representative Martus, while Cole Parker from Cadillac Innovation High School, a program of Networks Northwest, introduced Representative Fairbairn. Both students thanked Fairbairn and Martus for their participation.

“It means a lot to see leaders who are willing to speak directly to the youth in their communities, listen and raise up young people’s voices, and invest in the next generation,” Thomas said. “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules by being here today to share your journeys and to hear directly from the young people in your state!”

Both Martus and Fairbairn talked about how important it is for young people to find their voice and advocate for programs like JMG. 

To see highlights from this year's Legislative Day, visit our website.