Six Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members, Nolan Henson, Mani Mesh, August Doerr, Ayanna Mendieta, Christian Dunn and Carson Haskin, joined us in Mt. Pleasant for our annual Summer Summit professional development conference.
The YAC is a dynamic group of emerging leaders, consisting of current Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) youth and alumni. Driven by their own transformative experiences in JMG, these passionate individuals serve as advocates and are dedicated to advancing and enhancing the initiatives of JMG programming statewide.
At Summer Summit, YAC members participated in a moderated panel discussion, Voices of Impact: A Conversation with the Youth Advisory Council. They shared their personal stories and experiences that underscored the profound impact the JMG program has had on their lives. They discussed how JMG’s mentoring, sense of belonging, and various opportunities have significantly shaped their personal and professional growth. This session was particularly impactful for JMG specialists, who had the opportunity to hear firsthand from the students and alumni about what aspects of the program were most meaningful to them.
The following day, YAC members co-presented the session, Empowering Youth through the Career Association, building on the previous day’s discussion. They shared practical strategies for specialists on how to effectively integrate the most impactful elements of JMG into their own programs. Topics included creating a culture of acceptance and belonging, leading and driving the JMG learning experience, building confidence, supporting peers, and empowering youth to take ownership of their lives. Their insights provided valuable guidance for specialists looking to enhance their approaches.
Mani Mesh, one of the YAC members, shared a powerful testimony:
“When I first joined JMG, my fear of public speaking was so overwhelming that I nearly dropped out. Fast forward to now, where I proudly presented to over 100 adults at the Summer Summit during two panel sessions. I credit JMG and my dedicated JMG specialist for instilling in me the leadership skills and confidence to overcome my fears. It was an incredible honor to contribute to the Summer Summit and use my voice to help shape JMG programming across the state." - Mani Mesh, JMG alum from Windover High School.
Other YAC members echoed this sentiment sharing similar stories of transformation. Ayanna Mendieta, JMG alumna from Michigan Works! West Central, highlighted how her JMG specialist served as a valuable mentor to her as a first-generation college student, while Christian Dunn, JMG alum from GST Michigan Works!, discussed the opportunities the program provided to him and how they helped him reach his current achievements. These heartfelt testimonies illustrated the long-lasting impact of JMG on its youth.
The sessions led by the YAC exemplified how JMG continues to empower its youth, fostering their growth and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the program and their communities. The insights and experiences shared by the YAC members not only inspired the attendees, but also reinforced the vital role JMG plays in in building Michigan's future leaders.
To learn more about our Youth Advisory Council, visit our website.
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