October 2017 Newsletter

THANK YOU TO ALL OF JMG'S PARTNERS FOR CARING ABOUT MY FUTURE!

It was just last fall when JMG was working with 6,500 students in 91 programs across the state. Twelve short months later, we find ourselves opening 12 new programs, and providing personal development, academic, and career prep services to more than 7,000 students. It's true, growth isn't a new concept for JMG... but it's the growing diversity of the young people we're serving that's worth noting.

Thanks to generous investments from private sector businesses and foundations, Governor Paul LePage and his administration, and the Maine State Legislature, JMG is now working with hundreds of additional students from three expanding populations: youth in foster care, students with disabilities, and those who are economically disadvantaged.

"JMG is very excited about the opportunity to provide these youth with the skills and supports they'll need to succeed in high school, post-secondary education, and the workforce," said Craig Larrabee, JMG's President & CEO. "We have a history of strong student outcomes, including a 90% high school graduation rate, and will strive to meet those same benchmarks with this larger population of youth."

JMG students at Thomas College in         Waterville

Thanks to this public/priv ate investment, JMG has also opened three new dropout recovery programs in Auburn, Waterville and South Portland. These programs focus on getting students who have dropped out, or are on the verge of dropping out, reconnected to school and on a pathway to a career. And, more help is on the way for students at Thomas College in Waterville. A generous grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation will support JMG's College Success Program at Thomas, which works to ensure students have the supports they need to stay in school and graduate.

"Harold and Bibby Alfond understood the importance of higher education, and how it can lead to economic prosperity for individuals and entire communities," said Greg Powell, Chairman of the Harold Alfond Foundation. "By supporting JMG's College Success Program, we are choosing to support a trusted organization that provides a unique continuum of support for youth from grade 6 all the way through post-secondary education. JMG has helped thousands of young people across the state overcome challenges and achieve success in school and in the job market."

JMG is also grateful to our public and private partners for enabling us to open three new college programs at Eastern Maine Community College, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, and a second program at Southern Maine Community College. And the good news continues. The William and Joan Alfond Foundation has awarded JMG a generous three-year grant to fund a new middle school program at Ridge View Community School in Dexter. The program, which started this fall, focuses on keeping students engaged in school, while helping them improve their grades, self-esteem and skills needed to successfully transition into high school. 

"The community of Dexter, Maine has always held a special place in our hearts," said Bill Alfond, President of the Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation. "Joan and I cannot think of a wiser way to invest in Dexter than by supporting its schools and JMG. For the last two and a half decades, JMG's public/private partnership has been dedicated to improving the lives of Maine's young people and strengthening the state's workforce, and we are certain it will make a positive impact at the Ridge View Community School."