Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of emerging leaders who are passionate about Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) programming and want to help carry on the purpose of inspiring and connecting youth to achieve a future beyond imagination. Becoming a member of the Youth Advisory Council means being a leader, supporter, and advocate of the JMG program and fellow JMG students and friends.
Nolan Henson
Youth Advisory Council Chairperson
I believe today is no better time to equip young people with the skills to lead for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to assessing the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates and Youth Solutions community needs and developing ideas to help meet those needs and help create even more success stories.
Southwestern Classical Academy
Sereta Fager
Youth Advisory Council Vice Chair
Northwestern Michigan College
I joined the YAC to improve my experience and skill set as a mentor, with the hope that I can develop a stronger sense of self confidence and leadership. I recognize this program as an opportunity that I might not have again, and I am excited to see all the ways in which I can grow and learn from being involved. One of my favorite aspects of mentoring is creating bonds with people, and I hope to have that opportunity in the YAC as well.
While growing up, I made my share of mistakes. I want to help other youth to not make the same mistakes whether in school or in life. YAC has given me the ability to share my story with other youth so they don’t have to learn those lessons the hard way.
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Sarah
Jones-Moody
Kelly Burch
Cadillac Senior High School
I’m excited to join the YAC to gain more exposure to likeminded people and engage in opportunities that help me expand my knowledge and experience for my future career.
Mani Mesh
Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates is a great program and thanks to JMG, I believe there is always a way to make things even better. I joined the Youth Advisory Council because I want to continue to improve the program and to help young people in Michigan remove barriers and learn skills that will help them be successful in their lives beyond high school.
Windover High School
GST Michigan Works!
My passion is to help people, even if that means just making them smile! Because of the YAC I have been able to help Michigan’s youth to overcome their personal barriers and gain skills they need to be successful.
Christian Dunn
Riley Brown
Northwest Education Services CTC
I joined the Youth Advisory Council due to my enthusiasm for Jobs for Michigan's Graduates. I have had countless positive and memorable experiences as a result of my involvement in this program, and I am now joining the Youth Advisory Council in the hopes of returning what I have been given and serving others who are similar to and unlike me. Without JMG and everything that has been provided to me, I would not only be the person I am today, but I doubt I would be as successful as I am now.
Ayanna Mendieta
Being a part of JMG has given me the opportunity to better myself professionally. JMG has impacted my life by providing me with resources that are beneficial for my future. I plan to continue networking and building a supportive foundation by being involved with YAC.
Michigan Works! West Central
Ta'Kaylah Aubrey
Through the YAC, I hope to continue advocating for our youth and work alongside others to help lead our youth to success. The three things I feel create my “why” is getting students to be heard, better educated, and successful even after high school.
Muskegon High School
Through the YAC I hope to gain more insight on how to lead to the best of my ability. I want to learn how to best help my fellow peers and help other JMG students in the years to come.
Kass Bennett
Hartford High School
I am excited to be a part of the YAC because I want to strengthen my leadership skills. I enjoy helping others and being active in my community and I believe this opportunity will empower me to spread my platform to my peers.
Savanna Bates
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan
Nevaeh Stone
Benton Harbor High School
It’s important for youth to get involved because young people are empowered to play a vital role in their own development as well as their communities. I joined the Youth Advisory Council to expand my leadership skills, practice public speaking, and build relationships with my fellow JMG peers.
JMG is important because it teaches the importance of employment preparation. I’m excited to be a part of the YAC to connect with other youth leaders across the state and work together to create even more experiences and opportunities for youth.
Carson Haskin
Northwest Education Services CTC
Zachary Dormer
Peckham, Inc.
As a member of the YAC, I want to support our youth, and help in building a better foundation for our community!
August Doerr
Lansing School District
My hope by joining the YAC is to gain experience and knowledge on how to confidently and kindly put my ideas into the world. As a manager at a daycare, and with a goal to open my own Dance Movement Therapy practice, I want to understand how to effectively and ethically engage a group of adults so that we can do our best to help the children we serve.
Congratulations to our 2024 YAC Scholarship Winners!
Maggie Sandoval
Northview Next Career Center
Harmony Bennett
Hartford High School
The YAC Takes on the
JAG NSLA in Washington D.C.
This December, seven YAC members were selected from the state of Michigan to attend Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG)'s National Student Leadership Academy (NSLA) in Washington D.C. The NSLA is a capstone leadership experience for youth leaders providing unique experiences through experiential learning, real-world applicability, and networking.
Youth Met with Rep Jack Bergman!
Our youth leaders met with U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman in Washington, D.C., providing them the opportunity to use their voice to discuss issues important to them at the national level.
What We Do
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3 Coffee with a Purpose Panelists
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10 Legislative Meetings
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1 Board of Directors presentation
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JMG Alumni Logo created
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Plan and implemented the first annual JMG Graduation Celebration
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Volunteers at annual Career Development Conference
Become a YAC Member
Be a Leader
Expectations
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Attend monthly meetings with fellow council members and Youth Solutions staff
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Participate and/or volunteer in events and activities throughout the year
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Be an advocate for Youth Solutions and a positive representation of the JMG Program
Benefits
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Network with other JMG leaders statewide
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Professional development opportunity and resume builder
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Increase skills in leadership, interpersonal relationships, decision-making, and public speaking
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Plan the annual JMG Graduation Celebration
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Work closely with Youth Solutions staff on special projects
2025 YAC Scholarship Information
Our YAC members were inspired by their own transformative experiences in JMG and are now eager to give back by recognizing a deserving JMG youth. Through fundraising and advocacy efforts, YAC members have made it possible to award two, $500 scholarships at the upcoming Career Development Conference. By providing this support, the YAC hopes to empower JMG youth to pursue their dreams and achieve a future beyond imagination.
The YAC Scholarship is available for current JMG youth and alumni to be used for postsecondary education and/or training certification programs (apprenticeships, trade schools, etc.) Funds can be used toward tuition & fees, books, registration, or short-term training.
Eligibility: Must be an Active JMG or Alumni JMG youth
Application Deadline: TBD
Application Process: Application will be available early 2025
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