Note: Below is an article written by Korey Colton for his high school paper, The Communicator. Korey attends Communication & Media Arts High School in Detroit and is in our Year 2 (11th grade) Workforce Prep program. With permission, we have re-published it here. Learn more about our seven-year Workforce Prep program.
Winning Futures offers CMA students, mentors, opportunity to grow
By Korey Colton
The Communicator
Winning Futures is a nationally recognized award-winning life skill development, goal setting, job readiness, and career exploration focused organization dedicated to helping out students from 10th grade all the way through college.
CMA students have been given access to such an opportunity through their teacher sponsors Brianna Willams and Kathryn Seabron.
“I wanted to join the organization because my dad was a mentor,” Williams said. “I enjoy watching my students learn and grow. They learn many life skills and they have a mentor for life. It’s beautiful to watch a caterpillar grow into a butterfly.”
Founded in Warren in 1994 by Sam Cupp, three decades later, Winning Futures stands upholding its mission through CMA and other high schools: to empower high school and college students to achieve their dreams. Students are assigned to one of Winning Futures’ volunteer mentors in groups and have periodic virtual meetings with occasional in person meetings to have discussions about anything from life to the future all for the sake of nurturing scholars to reach their dreams.
Over the time spent in Winning Futures, CMA students are invited to college visits and group outings, offered scholarships, given several lessons focused on life during and after college, and interactive mentor driven lessons meant to give every possible opportunity for students to succeed in goal setting and in life.
“Over the course of my high school career, Winning Futures has driven me to strive for better academic performance as well as giving me perspective as to what careers I may want to pursue,” CMA senior Elijah Elens-Eigbokhan said.
This program is meant to foster a sense of connection with people who’ve already experienced a similar future life path that students want to go down. Volunteer mentors can serve as great references for future careers or offer profound advice meant to keep students from making the same mistakes they did.
“All I can remember since ninth grade to now, Winning Futures has stood out the most. They help me overcome obstacles and achieve success,” CMA senor Ja’Don Brown-Warren said.
Participants are given a real opportunity to chase their full potential by being part of Winning Futures. It serves as a source of support and guidance during the most chaotic times in a student’s life and keeps students on the proper path to ensure that, at the end of the program, they will have a winning future.
“I enjoy being in the program so much and my mentor connects with me educationally and personally preparing me with simple things like connecting me with my teachers and other programs I may want to engage in,” CMA senior Daija Favors said. “Winning Futures is a great support system.”