Success Stories

Watch Riley's inspiring speech, here. Riley Brown’s journey is a powerful example of courage, leadership, and an unshakable commitment to lifting others up. She was first introduced to and joined the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program as a junior at Northwest Ed Career Tech, where she was enrolled in the Automotive Repair program—an experience that helped shape her confidence and career direction. A 2024 graduate of Glen Lake High School, Riley is now attending Grand

Watch Iyanni's inspiring speech, here. Iyanni Shyne’s journey with Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) began at a time when she was searching for direction. After graduating high school, she found herself navigating short-term jobs without a clear plan for her future. When an individual encouraged her to connect with the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program at West Michigan Works! Muskegon Service Center, Iyanni took a chance—one that would ultimately change the course

Watch Leonardo's inspiring speech, here. Leonardo’s journey took a remarkable turn when he discovered Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) after seeing a poster in his school hallway. New to the United States and eager to find his place, he scanned the QR code, completed the application, and followed up to ensure he could join the program. From that moment on, Leonardo fully embraced every opportunity JMG had to offer. His path hasn’t been easy. Just two years ago, Leonardo im

Ayden McKimmy’s story is one of resilience, determination, and belief in what’s possible—even when life takes an unexpected turn. During his senior year of high school, Ayden faced a life-altering challenge when he suddenly found himself without a place to live. Suddenly forced to navigate housing, school, and his future on his own, he could have easily lost sight of his goals. Instead, Ayden stayed focused—refusing to let his circumstances define him. Despite the instability

Leadreahana “Ahana” Drew is a powerful example of consistency, leadership, and quiet determination. A student at Pershing High School, Ahana has faced significant challenges from a young age, including limited support at home and navigating daily responsibilities on her own. Despite these barriers—including walking half a mile to school each day—she has remained focused on her education and future, building a path defined by resilience and purpose. When Ahana first joined Job

Yuridia Ramirez Manzano has long been a leader—both in her school and within her family. As the oldest child, she has taken on the responsibility of serving as her family’s primary English speaker and advocate since the age of eight, helping navigate everything from doctor’s appointments to daily life. While Yuridia has navigated the realities of a modest household, she has done so surrounded by a loving family that has kept her grounded. This support has helped her stay focu

Salomon Shabani’s journey is one of extraordinary perseverance, resilience, and hope. Originally from Africa, Salomon spent eight years living in a refugee camp before coming to the United States five years ago. After first settling in Pennsylvania, he relocated to Lansing during his senior year of high school in search of new opportunities. Instead, he faced overwhelming challenges—arriving with no support system beyond his father, limited financial resources, and the weight

Alex Kozlowski’s path to success has been anything but traditional—but it’s a journey defined by resilience, determination, and steady growth. After being diagnosed with a life-threatening condition in elementary school, Alex transitioned from public school to homeschooling as he focused on recovery. At the beginning of his junior year, when he made the decision to return to a traditional school setting, he faced a major setback: the work he completed during homeschooling did

When Elaina first joined Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG), she was driven by a deep-seated anxiety about her future. Concerned about what steps to take after high school, she sought guidance and structure through JMG, determined not to let stress define her path. With the mentorship of JMG specialist Katie Bouldin, Elaina transformed that apprehension into purposeful action, becoming one of the most engaged and dependable members of the program. Throughout her time with JM

Skye Hess’s journey with Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) is defined by resilience, perseverance, and the courage to create her own path. During high school, she faced significant personal and financial hardships after her grandmother passed away and her mother lost her job. Recognizing that a traditional high school path was no longer the best fit for her circumstances, Skye made the brave decision to pursue her GED. With the support and guidance of JMG specialist Benjami

Bethany Byard has shown remarkable toughness and determination throughout her journey with Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG). Living independently while managing school, work, and personal responsibilities, she has faced significant barriers, including housing instability, transportation challenges, and employment hurdles. Despite these obstacles, Bethany remained committed to her growth and success. When she joined JMG at the Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Gaylord Se

Aspen Evans has faced significant challenges growing up, navigating difficult family circumstances that placed adult responsibilities on her shoulders at a very young age. Despite these obstacles, she has consistently demonstrated resilience, determination, and a commitment to making a positive impact in her community. When Aspen joined Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) at Central Lake High School, she quickly became a standout participant. Balancing four sports, dual enrol

Michael Holland faced significant challenges while working to complete high school. Balancing school, financial responsibilities, unstable living situations, and the demands of his job at Dollar General, he often carried the weight of adult responsibilities at a young age. At one point, the stress became overwhelming, and Michael stepped away as he worked through personal challenges, making it difficult to stay on track toward graduation. However, when he reconnected with Job

August joined the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program at just 16 years old as a student in the Lansing School District GED program. Quiet and shy at first, she faced personal challenges but quickly found support and encouragement through her JMG specialist, Charron Basey, who helped create a safe and nurturing environment where August could grow in confidence and find her voice. Through JMG, August not only strengthened her academic foundation but also discovered her

We’re excited to announce that Teagan Agren, a graduating senior from Ogemaw Heights High School has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Scholarship! Teagan has demonstrated outstanding resilience, leadership, and academic excellence throughout her high school journey. Despite living with a hearing impairment and overcoming injuries as a student-athlete, Teagan has never allowed adversity to hold her back—continuing to grow, lead, and succe