Coffee with a Purpose: Change Makers: Empowering YOUth through Civic Engagement. 

Grab a cup of coffee and put your earbuds in! A conversation on youth involved in civic engagement to become agents of change in their communities recently was co-moderated by Jack Schmitt, Vice President of Advocacy for The Impact Project and Mollie Waller, Executive Director of Youth Solutions. A panel of Jobs of Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) youth will address the value of volunteering, voting,  and being involved in their communities while discussing the social issues they find important, and the change they would like to see through their involvement. 

Last Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022 from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. they held a virtual event on ZOOM.

The Feb. 16 Coffee with a Purpose featured four youth panelists:

• Tyjah Covington, a senior at Hartford High School, is vice president of JMG’s Career Association, a football player, and recently won the title and crown of Mr. Hartford which he proudly holds as a community representative. After school, Covington works as a public caretaker, assisting adults with disabilities. He is a recently registered voter who is eager to continue supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement, Pride and is passionate about other equality issues. 
• Jairo Lopez, a sophomore at Hartford High School, serves as a student representative for JMG’s Career Association. He is president of both the Spanish Club and the Student Council. Lopez is one of Hartford’s best cross country runners. He is committed to transgender/LGBTQ+ rights, anti-bullying and volunteering with the community. 
• Christian Dunn is a JMG alumnus from Flint Genesee Job Corps Center, GST Michigan Works. He is currently a student at University of Michigan - Flint studying social studies in their Teaching Certificate Program, with a minor in political science. Christian serves on the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a group of emerging leaders who dedicate their time to supporting the mission of Youth Solutions. 
• Jalen Lewis is a 2020 JMG alumnus from the Family Literacy Center in Lapeer. He is currently attending Mott Community College for a degree in criminal justice and psychology. The JMG program gave Lewis the tools he needed to take on more responsibilities and the urge to do better in his community. 

About Youth Solutions, Inc. Inspiring and connecting youth to achieve a future beyond imagination, Youth Solutions is committed to providing Michigan’s youth with the desire for an education, the experiences that prepare them for a job or career, and the tools to realize their potential. Youth Solutions was established as a 501(c)3 in 2017 but has served in this capacity since 2008, positively impacting more than 18,000 youth ages 14-24 across Michigan. For more information about Youth Solutions, Inc. or to become a partner, visit us at www.ouryouthsolutions.org, follow us on LinkedIn,  Instagram and Twitter or “like” us on Facebook at @JobsforMichigansGraduates.