Five West Michigan Works! Ascend youth program participants have been honored with the 2025 Excellence in Youth Leadership Award through the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program. West Michigan Works! partners with JMG Youth Solutions to provide valuable curricular and event resources to out-of-school youth in its seven-county region.
The honorees include:
- Fox DeWitt, Greenville
- Brianna Maddox, Muskegon
- Jessica Mendoza, Fennville
- Maddie Morgan, Ionia
- Jordan Nabors, Allegan
The honorees are participants in West Michigan Works’ Ascend Youth Services program, which helps young adults ages 16 to 24 explore careers, build connections and develop skills. Ascend career coaches support participants in completing a high school diploma or GED, gaining work experience and preparing for long-term success.
West Michigan Works! helped Maddox earn a community health worker certification. She has since secured employment with Trinity Health in Muskegon.
“Ascend and this conference boosted my career readiness skills,” said Maddox. “I am thriving and emulating my career coach, which is why I received one of the annual youth awards. I don’t know how they do what they do, but I am grateful to be able to experience these opportunities with West Michigan Works! and Jobs for Michigan Graduates.”
Nabors was hired at Allegan’s Family Farm and Home after gaining successful work experience at the store through Ascend. He credits his mother for instilling a strong work ethic and doing her best, even during challenging times.
“Over the past six months, I have felt a change, and I know that the responsibility of working and being in the program has gotten me to think more introspectively about my future,” said Nabors. “Being given the Excellence in Youth Leadership Award for Allegan County makes me want to continue to grow and learn… Thank you to West Michigan Works! Youth Ascend Program, for giving me the opportunity when I needed it the most and allowing me to prove myself. My future is looking much brighter now.”
The students were recognized during the 15th annual Career Development Conference in Lansing, bringing together more than 180 youth and 60 workforce development leaders across Michigan. The conference featured hands-on training in job readiness skills, such as interviewing, problem-solving and teamwork.
“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate these outstanding young leaders who earned the Excellence in Youth Leadership Award,” said Chad Patton, director of development and innovation, West Michigan Works! “Their dedication, resilience and drive represent the very best of what the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program stands for. In the process of reaching their goals, they are inspiring others along the way. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”
In addition to professional development, youth engaged with employers — including Michigan Farm Bureau, Henry Ford Health, City of Lansing, Michigan Health Council and Whirlpool Corporation — to explore career opportunities.
Sponsors included the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Lyons Industries, Strada Education Network, the DTE Foundation, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, United Way of the Lakeshore and United Way of Southwest Michigan.
