Local Veteran Gives Back to At-Risk Youth

After losing his job as a part-time cashier at the Army base in Battle Creek, Ray began visiting the Michigan Works! Southwest Service Center almost every day, spending hours researching companies and applying for open positions. Though he was hesitant at first to receive one-on-one assistance from Michigan Works! Southwest staff, the daily encouragement they provided built a relationship of support and trust.  Staff were then able to assist Ray with updating his resume, providing job search and job referrals that resulted in a job offer for a position where Ray felt he would be challenged, engaged and able to give back to the community.

Ray is now a Cadre 6 at Michigan Youth Challenge Academy in Battle Creek. His job responsibilities include assisting in educating, training and mentoring at-risk youth through a military model that promotes competency development through academic opportunity, life skills and vocational preparation.