MT. PLEASANT, Mich. — Youth Solutions hosted its 9th Annual Summer Summit professional development conference in Mount Pleasant last week, bringing together more than 160 Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) specialists, managers, employer partners, and youth from across the state. The dynamic, three-day event was filled with connection, celebration, and forward-thinking conversations focused on preparing Michigan’s youth for successful futures.

 

During the conference, Youth Solutions proudly announced record-breaking outcomes for its JMG program for the 2024–2025 school year, including a 99% graduation rate for high school and alternative education students who took JMG as a course for credit. In addition, Youth Solutions was recognized by Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) as a top performer for its work throughout the state of Michigan, surpassing all of JAG National’s key performance benchmarks in several critical areas— graduation rates, employment, full-time placement, positive outcomes, and post-secondary enrollment for students.

 

The theme for this year’s conference was Mission Possible: Moving the Needle on the Youth Disconnection Rate.

“Over ninety percent of our JMG youth continue on to postsecondary action after graduation, which is higher than the statewide average”, said Roger Curtis, Executive Director at Youth Solutions. “This proves the JMG program works in keeping our state’s youth connected and engaged in their futures. This is directly due to the dedication and commitment of our program specialists and partners.”

Also announced at the conference were individual regional affiliate programs recognized for meeting or exceeding JAG criteria.

“These programs have shown they are dedicated to ensuring young people succeed in 

education and have a path toward family-sustaining employment,” said Youth Solutions Executive Director Roger Curtis.

 

Regional affiliate programs receiving highest honors were:

 

The conference also featured a youth-led panel discussion, Future-Ready Workplaces: Michigan’s Youth Share What Matters Most. Moderated by Matt Jemilo of HR Collaborative, the panel gave young leaders an opportunity to share their vision of future work environments to be more inclusive, supportive, and purpose-driven. Their powerful insights offered a bold and authentic vision for the future of work in Michigan. Following the panel, members of several statewide workforce development organizations and employers introduced themselves and shared what they have to offer our future workers. 

An award ceremony held Thursday evening honored network leaders, specialists, programs, and partners who continue to go above and beyond to support youth success. From innovative programming to exceptional mentorship, the awards celebrated the impactful work being done across the state to uplift young people and prepare them for meaningful careers. Michigan Works Association, a longtime and dedicated partner that has championed youth career development since JMG’s inception, was honored with the JMG Impact Award for their continued collaboration in expanding equitable opportunities for young people across the state. 

 

“The JMG Impact Award honors an organization that has made a transformational difference in the growth, quality, and reach of the JMG program,” said Curtis. “This award is not given lightly—it recognizes a partner whose actions have opened doors, inspired students, and helped us build a stronger, more sustainable future for Michigan’s young people.”

 

Also receiving recognition were Laura Percival from the MiSTEM Network in Northeast Michigan, and Mike Smith from UP Construction Council located in the Upper Peninsula. Both were honored with the Transformational Change award for their work in bringing together partners in their regions to create real, lasting pathways to success.

The full list of all award winners can be found here.

 

Youth Solutions aims to ensure every youth in Michigan has access to career-focused education and graduates with a plan for postsecondary success. Since 2008, Youth Solutions has impacted over 46,000 youth, ages 11-24, across Michigan. Summer Summit is the organization’s annual statewide professional development conference for its partners and program leaders. The multi-day event sets the tone and approach for the upcoming year, allowing Youth Solutions to highlight priorities, provide training and resources, and celebrate the accomplishments of its network.

 

For more information about Youth Solutions, Inc. or to become a partner, visit us at www.ouryouthsolutions.org, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, or “like” us on Facebook at @JobsforMichigansGraduates & @YouthSolutions.