As Southern Nevada works towards education recovery from the pandemic, United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) has invested $150,000 in Jobs for Nevada’s Graduates (J4NG), a statewide education-based nonprofit.
The funds, which come from the UWSN Community Impact Grant program, will be distributed over a three-year period, with efforts to keep a caring adult in the classroom. Throughout the three-year period, UWSN will help fund the J4NG program at Chaparral High School, as well as provide volunteers to various J4NG programs across Southern Nevada during class time to help with career exploration education, mock-interviews, resume review and other career/life-skills activities.
“Through 120 hours of contact and instruction, J4NG provides high school students with supportive services, mentoring, college and career readiness and a strong set of workplace readiness skills to set them up for success for years to come after graduation,” says Dr. René Cantú, executive director of J4NG. “United Way of Southern Nevada’s contribution to J4NG will allow more students to gain in-class and out-of-class professional development skills and further their educational experience through dedicated volunteership.”
Aligning with J4NG’s values, UWSN believes that all Nevadans deserve a roof over their heads, a good job and access to a quality education, which has led to their investment in the nonprofit.
“The J4NG program is time-tested and has built an impressive track record of success,” says Aaron Krolikowski, Interim Vice President of Community Impact with UWSN. “Their mentoring, academic advising, tutoring, financial aid guidance and follow-up support have empowered 98% of their students to graduate from high school and focus on meaningful career paths. As Southern Nevada recovers from the pandemic, J4NG is positioned to make sure all students can get back on track to graduate and thrive in our community.”
To show support and gratitude for United Way of Southern Nevada’s investment, students in the J4NG program at Chaparral High School will participate in UWSN’s Day of Caring, which will be hosted on Friday, October 8. In honor of Day of Caring, J4NG students are hosting a sock and glove drive and will be collecting donations between now and October 7. Donations will be collected school-wide at Chaparral, along with partnering locations of Nevada Health Centers including at Nevada Partnership of Homeless Youth (4981 Shirley St.), Henderson Family Health Center (98 E. Lake Mead Pkwy #103), Martin Luther King Family Health (1799 Mount Mariah Dr.), North Las Vegas Family Health (2225 Civic Center Dr.) and WIC Tropicana (5486 Boulder Hwy Suite #102).
J4NG is a nonprofit created by the state of Nevada for the good of public education. To learn more about the organization or to make a donation, visit www.j4ng.org
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About Jobs for Nevada’s Graduates
Jobs for Nevada’s Graduates (J4NG), is a statewide nonprofit, part of the national organization, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). J4NG empowers positive futures for Nevada’s youth by working with students to achieve graduation and find career pathways. J4NG helps Nevada students reach their potential using in-depth mentoring, instruction, data-driven strategies and long-term support. 51 schools across Nevada offer JAG programs through J4NG, serving more than 3,300 students. J4NG students receive over 120+ hours of career readiness instruction, guidance and support through graduation and the first 12 months after graduation.