At Hazel Park High School, two sophomores found their voices and their futures, thanks to a powerful combination of structured curriculum, heartfelt mentorship, and a few moments that changed everything.
Autum and Yasmin met in our 10th grade (Year 1) Workforce Prep Mentoring Program, an experiential program focused on helping students figure out what they want to do after high school and how to make it happen. Their volunteer Career Mentor, Taneshia Onyenwenwa, Registered Nurse with the Michigan Department of Corrections, met them in that same program, not quite knowing what to expect, but knowing she wanted to give back.
“I was scrolling Instagram and saw an ad that said, ‘Inspire high school students,’ and I thought, yeah, that’s something I want to do,” Taneshia said. A registered nurse and Hazel Park alum, she recognized the opportunity immediately. “I’d always said if I didn’t have to work, I’d be a coach or teacher. Mentoring at my old high school? It was meant to be.”
That sense of purpose carried her into the first session, nervous but excited. She quickly discovered that mentoring was more than giving advice, it was about showing up, listening, and believing in her students until they believed in themselves.
Take Autum, for example. Soft-spoken and deeply passionate about singing, Autum joined the program with big dreams but a fear of being seen. “I’ve had anxiety my whole life. Public speaking? That was my worst fear,” she said. “But Ms. Taneshia really encouraged me. She got me to speak to the class. She even got me ready to sing at karaoke!”
Autum began sharing more in class, even opening up about her dream to become a teacher, professional singer, or vocal coach. A pivotal session on career exploration helped her map out what each path could look like, from the required training to the confidence she’d need to build. “I feel like I’ve grown a lot in confidence. She taught us it’s okay to just be ourselves,” Autum said.
Yasmin’s journey looked a little different. Naturally observant and quietly confident, she spent the early part of the year learning how to lead. “She had a voice, but it was internal,” Taneshia said. “By the end of the year, it was coming out.”
In one activity, students took on business roles to build a model car made of Legos. Yasmin was the CEO. “She knocked it out of the park,” Taneshia recalled. “She took charge, collaborated with her team, and made real decisions. You could see the shift.”
And that shift wasn’t limited to the classroom. Taneshia says she saw Yasmin carry herself differently. She was more willing to speak up, take initiative, and lean into her own leadership style. “It was beautiful to watch.”
But the benefits of the program weren’t one-sided. “I always tell people, I came in to help the students, but I got just as much out it,”of Taneshia said. A budgeting lesson, for example, helped her create a personal savings plan that carried her through an unexpected nine-week period of unemployment. “I had to practice what I was teaching: perseverance, positive mindset, staying focused. And I got through it.”
She also found that mentoring helped her connect more with her own teenage daughter. “Oddly enough, Winning Futures gave me the tools to better communicate with my daughter,” she said. “I could see how to have the conversations I needed to have.”
This kind of impact is the heart of our program. It’s not just about helping students dream big. It’s about giving them the tools, support, and guidance to chase those dreams. And it’s about bringing in volunteer Career Mentors who believe in students enough to say, “You can do this. Let me show you how.”
It’s also the kind of story that keeps repeating. In fact, after seeing a photo of Taneshia and her students, a friend reached out to Taneshia to share, “I was in the Winning Futures program in high school. It changed my life. It’s how I got to college. I wouldn’t have made it without that scholarship.”
As Autum and Yasmin prepare for their junior year, they’ll do it with stronger voices and clearer goals. And as for Taneshia? She’ll keep showing up. Because sometimes, all it takes to empower tomorrow’s workforce is one person saying, “I believe in you.” And that’s something worth investing in.
Career Mentors are volunteers from the Metro Detroit business community who help high school students figure out what they’ll do after high school and learn important life and job skills. They attend one-hour sessions with students at their school and coach them through our structured and fun curriculum. Learn more and apply to be a Career Mentor!