Collect the Dots to Connect the Dots

Jobs for Delaware Graduates helps students reach academic and economic success

BY KELLY BASILE

EDUCATE. EMPOWER. EMPLOY. Three words. Together, those three words are the difference between where the students of the Jobs for Delaware Graduates program are today and who they will choose to become tomorrow.

As a school-to-work transitional program, Jobs for Delaware Graduates (JDG)’s mission is to enable middle and high school students to achieve academic, career, personal, and social success—however that may look to the student. College may not always be the path for a child; instead, it could be straight from high school to a career. JDG prepares students for either path by providing the skills needed to succeed in school, at work, and in life.

“Jobs for Delaware Graduates is the best-kept hidden gem in the state,” said President Nicole Poore. “We see more than 4,000 students come through the program each year, and it’s our vision and responsibility to ensure they build the foundation to have the confidence, social skills, and ability to make a life for themselves.”

Going back to the program’s origins in 1978, then-Governor Pete du Pont declared the state of Delaware bankrupt. In addition to the lack of state funds and the subsequent halt on spending, unemployment and school dropout rates were high at the time. Yet Governor du Pont so clearly saw that support in preparing the state’s kids for the workforce could not stop. So together, public and private sector leaders put their heads together and developed the Jobs for Delaware Graduates model.

The success and impact of the JDG model over the years can be seen in the numbers. Having led to the creation of their national affiliate—Jobs for America’s Graduates—the JDG model now has a footprint in 1,500 communities nationwide and helped nearly 1.5 million young people stay in school through graduation, pursue post-secondary education, and secure quality jobs leading to career advancement opportunities.

“The vision that our governor had 45 years ago to prepare the next generation was spot on,” said Poore. “The innovation that created Jobs for Delaware Graduates back then has since inspired this model to be replicated in 39 states.”

The success and impact of the JDG model over the years can be seen in the numbers. Having led to the creation of their national affiliate—Jobs for America’s Graduates—the JDG model now has a footprint in 1,500 communities nationwide and helped nearly 1.5 million young people stay in school through graduation, pursue post-secondary education, and secure quality jobs leading to career advancement opportunities.

In Delaware alone, more than 97,600 young people have participated in JDG programs, and more than 250 employers have relied on the organization to produce enthusiastic, well-prepared, and effective employees.

“One of the many wonderful things about the hospitality industry is that there is no barrier to entry. Anyone willing to work hard can flourish and advance—regardless of background, past experience, or education level,” Michael Dickinson, president of SoDel Concepts. “We are lucky to have employed many talented young people who discovered a passion for the hospitality industry through Jobs for Delaware Graduates.”

Today JDG is an approved Delaware Department of Education career pathway that is housed in 14 middle and 23 high schools throughout the state. The program implements a comprehensive curriculum based on 80 employability areas, including critical thinking, customer service, entrepreneurship, conflict resolution, problem solving, effective communication and collaboration, and financial literacy. Students who participate in JDG receive weekly in-class instruction, credit towards graduation, leadership development, community service, career coaching, and access to internships, job shadowing, and paid work experiences.

To ensure students with the greatest need are helped, the program works with guidance counselors and school administrators to identify students who may be in need and/or demonstrate a case for increased support. JDG acts as an early-detection mechanism that pinpoints challenges and presents solutions that help students navigate their unique circumstances and acquire skills that are critical to breaking the cycle of poverty and unemployment.

To give JDG participants a voice, the organization created JDG Speaking Up, where students can share their feelings on national and local issues in society, what they think is missing, and goals they hope to accomplish coming out of the program.

“Education cannot be stagnant,” emphasized Poore. “JDG has evolved over the years based on the climate, workforce needs, and education system.”

She cited one program created in partnership with ChristianaCare— Creating Opportunities with Real Experiences (CORE)—where JDG students learned first-hand how a hospital runs. Students get the opportunity to experience diverse management styles, spend time in different areas of the hospital, and learn how it all fits together to make the organization run.

Another program created during the pandemic with Discover allowed for students to be paid while learning financial literacy and what it’s like to work for the financial institution.

“Jobs for Delaware Graduates provided the venue and support we needed to develop an internship program for high school seniors that offered students valuable work experience while giving Discover access to a successful talent pipeline post-graduation,” said Discover Department Manager Michael Williams.

These real-life experiences teach the students about work ethics and accountability and peak their interest in career pathways. These sort of exposures can also help students realize what careers they might not want to pursue.

“We have to stop telling kids who they should be. Instead, we need to meet them where they are so we can help them get to their next place in life,” stressed Poore. “Who they are now isn’t who they will be years from now. It’s important to us that they know it’s okay to change and evolve.”

Poore reflected on the work her team does: “We are blessed to work with some of the most amazing kids. The fundamentals were are giving these students is allowing them to be whoever they chose to.”