Friday, March 24, 2023

It was an exceptionally snowy (well, maybe not for Cleveland) morning on March 14 when more than 100 Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) students marched off buses and into a large hall in the Huntington Convention Center. Youth Opportunities Unlimited administrators were pleasantly surprised; usually intense weather means low turnout. Not this year! Not only did the students show up, but they showed out, displaying a high level of preparation and professionalism.

John Marshall Civic and Business Leadership student Gino shared, “Personally, I feel great because I do want to be a part of the business world. This gives me a look at what I should wear, what I should do, and how I should speak to people, and it just makes me feel welcome… Everyone was respectful. Everyone greeted me. I can give the same energy back. Now that I'm completing the JOG program [this year], I'm excited for what my future has for me.”

There were many highlights from this year:

• WKYC anchor Laura Caso emceed the awards ceremony.

• Twenty businesses participated in the Opportunity Fair. Students introduced themselves, networked, and applied for jobs with these companies.

• Open Doors Academy (ODA) students joined Y.O.U. for the Opportunity Fair and the luncheon.

• 6 students will be going to compete in the national competition in Orlando in April.

Y.O.U. presented the George Voinovich Award to Eric Gordon, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Randell McShepard, Vice President of Public affairs and Chief Talent Officer at RPM International. ODA was awarded the Huntington Community Catalyst Award. Tylisha Johnson, Re-entry and Lead Coordinator at the Extended Leadership Academy (ELA), was awarded the 2023 Brenda Stark award.