An organization created to help young South Dakotans find jobs is announcing expansion and new financial donations.
In its 15th year, Jobs for America’s Graduates – South Dakota – or JAG-SD – is both reflecting on its past and moving forward to program expansion.
Linda Foos is one of the original advocates for JAG South Dakota and on the advisory board. She said 15 years in, it is important to look back at the good the program has created.
“(One) student went from missing 50 days of school a year to becoming a graduate. And now serves our community as a leader in a phenomenal program. And those are the stories that we need to remember. When they become adults, become productive citizens in our community. He’ll say in there ‘It’s because of JAG.’ We saw his potential. He did not. And then once he realized ‘I’m a leader, I can do this,’” Foos said.
The program helps students facing struggles advance through high school graduation. Students must meet at minimum six “struggles” – whether that be qualifying for reduced lunch, having one or less parents in the home, or other obstacles as outlined by the program. The average student in the program qualifies for 11.
Chad Johnson is a JAG Specialist and a teacher at Lyman High School. He said the program matters to the youth.
“JAG is bigger than preparing students for jobs; it’s about awareness, exploration and connected purpose. Now what I can’t do as your specialist is take life’s challenges away. But we can support our youth, we can be their biggest cheerleaders helping them to understand dedication, resilience and grit,” Johnson said.
The program also announced that Vermillion, Brookings, and Wilmot are all becoming JAG schools beginning this fall thanks to a $180,000 donation from the Wellmark Foundation.
The donation comes with an additional match for every dollar raised up to $150,000. If matched, three more schools would be added to JAG.
