NOVI – Much of the discussion about Michigan?s economic recovery centers on attracting and retaining businesses and jobs, and on educating our students to be well prepared for those jobs. In keeping with ITC?s desire to be a good neighbor and an involved corporate citizen of the communities we serve, we actively support organizations and institutions that provide valuable educational opportunities for our future leaders.
Two such efforts center on programs that arm students with important life skills they wouldn?t normally learn in school. During each school year Winning Futures, an award-winning nonprofit organization operating school-based mentoring programs and workshops, provides 1,300 metro Detroit students with trusting relationships, energizing experiences and unforgettable life lessons. The organization fosters goal setting, strategic planning, life skills and career readiness to students in eighth through 12th grades.
Mentors and business partners work with Winning Futures to create a community of caring, focused young people who will strengthen our future. President & CEO Kris Marshall says the goal is to empower students to reach personal success.
One Winning Futures participant describes the ?Attitude Lesson? in which students and mentors work together to build the tallest possible marshmallow and spaghetti tower: ?I feel like this program has changed my attitude from negative to positive. This lesson was a really good one for me.?
The mentoring program meets one day per week for an entire school year. Students are matched up with volunteer mentors to develop a five-year vision of their future, founded on Vision, Plan, Goal and Success. Goals include career and education, personal values and achievements, and relationships. The program looks for changes in student mindset between pre- and post-assessments. After completing the program, 95 percent of students in the Winning Futures program say they plan to continue their education at a higher level.
At Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, helping kids stay in school, pursue higher education and learn important financial concepts are core services delivered to 39,000 students every year. Through its Quicken Loans JA Finance Park in downtown Detroit, Junior Achievement teaches middle and high school students some of life?s most important lessons that they won?t learn in school, such as how to manage a monthly budget, how to buy a house, and the differences between debit and credit. Students learn the importance of developing a personal budget, maintaining good credit and recognizing the true cost of financing purchases. They are given real-life scenarios and have to budget accordingly.
?In my scenario I have two children, 8 and 10, and I am married,? said one JA Finance Park participant. ?I was so much over on my budget, like $900-some odd dollars over my budget. I learned a lot and I was so excited about it.?
?I made $4,433 a month. My life situation was that I was single and I had to get a car,? said another JA Finance Park participant. ?It was really fun to compare with other people. You got to choose between a minivan, SUV, luxury car ? all that fun stuff. You definitely have to look toward the future and this gave me a better understanding.?
These programs can go a long way in preparing students for life in the real world. Supporting local organizations such as Junior Achievement and Winning Futures is a key element of ITC?s role as the owner and operator of the high voltage transmission system in Michigan and parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma. Enhancing the quality of life of residents in the communities ITC is privileged to serve is a cornerstone of our business and our mission to be a best-in-class transmission provider.
Source: The Michigan ITC Team
