Our Programs
2022-23 Workforce Prep Program
We have enhanced our DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, and ASSET-BASED LANGUAGE strategies in our 2022-23 curriculum.
We empower high school and college students to achieve the life they dream of through our seven-year workforce prep and mentoring program. While our mission remains the same, our program is evolving to better address our student’s needs. The 2022-23 school year will include these exciting updates:
- Our 10th grade program will return to the classroom (no more Zooming!)
- Our curriculum includes more strategies related to:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Our goal is to create a classroom environment in which students will be comfortable talking with their career mentors and expressing their individuality. We will do this through strategies to learn about each student’s cultural background, hobbies, learning styles, and interests, and use of language and activities that make students feel included and valued.
- Classroom materials that represent different perspectives
- Role playing activities that allow expression and understanding of other cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives
- Inclusive language that avoids references to gender roles and norms
- Safe space discussions where students can openly discuss how discrimination affects them, and what to do if:
- It happens to them at school or work
- They see it happening to someone else
- They realize they are discriminating against others - Opportunities for all students to contribute
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Asset-Based Language
Asset Based Language
Our goal is to build inclusive spaces in which our students will thrive. We will do this by using words and phrases when talking to and about our students that are supportive and will lead to more meaningful relationships and impactful outcomes. We will incorporate strategies developed by the Here to Here organization.
- Avoid words and phrases that describe our students from a “deficit” perspective
- Prioritize language that focuses on strengths and potential
- Lead with language about the person, not the variables
- Use words that are accurate and avoid words that are generalizations or “code words”
- Year 6 of our 7-year model will launch
Our 7-YEAR, EXPERIENTIAL model
- Student engagement from 10th grade through 4 years of college or trade school
- Blend of virtual and in-person programming
- Local business professionals serving as volunteer career mentors
- Competitive scholarships
- Award-winning and evidence-based curriculum
- Engaging students at Cass Technical High School (Detroit), Community High School (Sterling Heights), Communication & Media Arts High School (Detroit), Harper Woods High School (Harper Woods), Mumford High School (Detroit) Pontiac Academy for Excellence (Pontiac), and Warren Mott High School (Warren).
Learn more about mentoring and other volunteer opportunities!
Year 1: SCHOOL-BASED MENTORING for 10th graders
Year one focuses on career exploration and life and job readiness skills development.
- 230, 10th grade and alternative high school students
- 2-3 one-hour monthly sessions, November through May
- Sessions held at participating schools, during the school day, and with students, teachers, and staff members present
- Motivational lessons facilitated by staff
- Fun hands-on activities facilitated by career mentors with support from staff
- Topics include goal setting, career exploration, continuing education, and life skills development
Years 2-3 ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING for returning 11th and 12th graders
Years two and three are a deeper dive into career exploration and skills development with greater emphasis on continuing education and planning for life after high school.
- 75, 11th and 12th grade students who were in our program the previous year
- Monthly in-person or virtual one-on-one meetings between students and their career mentors
- 5-minute educational video followed by structured discussion led by career mentors
- 11th grade topics include positive attitude, career exploration, virtual career fair, continuing education, relationship skills, networking, strategic planning, financial literacy, and college applications
- 12th grade topics include positive attitude, financial aid, budgeting, applying for college or trade school, executing strategic plans, coping with stress and fears, professionalism, resumes, interviewing, and organization
- Experiential workshops and college career tools
Years 4-7 COLLEGE SUCCESS MENTORING for student in college or trade school
Years four through seven focus on providing students with the support they need to stay in college or trade school, graduate, and find employment.
- 50 students who were in our high school program and are now enrolled in college or trade school
- Students matched with career mentors based on the student’s career interests and the mentor’s work experience
- Monthly virtual one-on-one meetings between students and their mentors
- Topics include freshman struggles, resumes, internships, networking, interviewing, and job shadowing
Our students are EXCELLING - the impact is REAL!
Workforce Prep makes a real and meaningful impact for our students, their families, the communities in which they live, and the employers for which they will eventually work. Learn more about our impact.
- 96% of our students are better prepared to persevere or overcome obstacles
- 87% of our students improved their job readiness skills
- 96% of our students completed the first step towards their education or career goals
- 77% of our students gained skills to improve their grades
For more information contact Bryan Howard at Bryan@WinningFutures.org or 248-495-2918.
Learn more about mentoring and other volunteer opportunities!
Social and Emotional Learning
Our goal is to foster an environment in which our students learn and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. Our model was designed on these concepts, and we are continuing to incorporate strategies developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning that promote: