WARREN – Winning Futures announced a two-year $150,000 grant award from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation to support implementing Workforce Prep – an in-school mentoring and leadership skills program for challenged high school students.
This program addresses the critical need to better prepare students for life after high school and empower them with the skills, knowledge, and motivation they will need to realize a purposeful and sustaining career.
“We are very pleased to support Winning Futures and the Workforce Prep program that empowers students while supporting their growth” said Virginia Romano, executive director, Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation.
Building upon an existing and highly successful one-year in-class high school mentoring program, Workforce Prep expands to a four-year model, increasing the program’s impact by working with students from 10th grade through their first year of continuing education. Through in-class mentoring and leadership skill development, job shadowing, and internships, students will gain critical workplace skills and hands-on experience, helping them become sought-after employees and successful adults.
“This is an investment in the lives of young people, their families, and the economic well-being of our region,” said Winning Futures President and CEO, Kristina Marshall. “This generous grant from the Dresner Foundation will help our students become well-qualified employees, living, working, and thriving in our communities.”
Winning Futures (www.WinningFutures.org) partners with metro Detroit high schools to deliver weekly in-class life skill and workforce preparation sessions that are facilitated by local business professionals. A recent recipient of the National Quality Member designation from MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, Winning Futures has positively impacted more than 47,000 students and awarded $1.9 million in scholarships.
