OUTSTANDING OUTCOMES AT STATE CAREER DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE FOR JOBS FOR CINCINNATI GRADUATES' YOUTH

JOBS FOR CINCINNATI GRADUATES' attended the Annual Jobs for Ohio's Graduates State Career Development Conference at Franklin County Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus on Monday, May 8, 2006 through the generosity of our sponsors; Staples Foundation for Learning, Toyota Motor Manufacturing of North America, Inc. and The Spaulding Foundation. Over 100 junior and senior high school kids attended, representing eight state-wide Jobs for Ohio Graduates affiliates. Fifteen JCG first place junior and senior winners from the JCG 24rd Career Development Conference participated in ten competitive events. JCG secured four 1st Place awards, two 2nd Place awards and two 3rd Place award.

The 1st place winners were:
Public Speaking - Elizabeth Coleman, Entrepreneurship High School
Employability Skills - Precious Austin, Winton Woods
Decision Making - Nye'esha Smith, Purcell Marian
Interviewing -- Kearra Vernon, Entrepreneurship High School

The 2nd place winners were:
Application - Millen Tsegay, Winton Woods
Visual Display - Taylor Bradley, Alex Gobran, Sade Wells, Winton Woods

The 3rd place winners were:
Team Challenge - Kevin Dunlap, David McGhee, Chika Okwamo, Jennifer Velez,
                          Winton Woods
Students for Service - Saria Hassen & Ashley Sherman of Winton Woods

JCG is a non-profit agency operating in the Cincinnati area since 1982. The JCG mission is to assist high school students with significant challenges, and high school dropouts, graduate and successfully make a planned transition from school to career. To achieve this mission, JCG implements the comprehensive Jobs for America's Graduates model and curriculum which includes:

• Integrating academic skills with job attainment, job retainment, and job advancement skills
• Guiding the development of an individualized, achievable career plan
• Tutoring, mentoring and assisting with proficiency preparation
• Connecting with social services to meet individual needs
• Providing follow-up services to help overcome hurdles during the year after graduation
• Measuring results.