Winning Futures

We empower high school and college students to achieve the life they dream of through our seven-year workforce prep and mentoring program.

With help from volunteer career mentors, we help Metro Detroit high school students get excited about their futures, learn life and job-readiness skills, and develop education and career plans and goals. Students enter the program in 10th grade and continue through four years of college, trade school, or other continuing education. Our 10th through 12th grade sessions are held at participating high schools, during the regular school day, and with teachers, administrators, and other students and career mentors present. Each session starts with a brief lesson that is taught by a staff member, then career mentors participate with their students in a fun and structured activity that reinforces the day’s lesson. Career mentors are volunteers from the business community who coach and provide supportive encouragement to students as they progress through out program. All career mentors receive training before our programmatic year starts and ongoing support before, during, and after every session.

We believe every young person has the potential to succeed and become a positive influence in their family and community. Many students face challenges that hinder their progress. That’s where we help. Beginning in 10th grade, we guide students through high school and four years of college or trade school. We provide them with a career mentor from the business community and help them explore careers, set goals, and learn life and job-readiness skills. Our students attend high schools in Detroit, Harper Woods, Hazel Park, Warren, Sterling Heights, and Pontiac. Our continuing education students attend colleges and trade schools nationwide. Since 1994, we have helped more than 50,500 students and awarded $2.2 million in scholarships. Researchers at the University of Michigan and Saginaw Valley State University found that our program has a statistically significant impact on students and deemed the program evidence-based.