Youth Opportunities Unlimited

Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) is a program of Michigan WORKS! and Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency  to serve at-risk youth, dropouts and other community members who need assistance to improve their lives through completing their education, finding employment and becoming contributing members of the community.  The youth program is designed to provide year round services that emphasize academics, occupational training and supportive services that are directly linked to academic and occupational learning. The Operation Graduation Program is a program coordinated with Kalamazoo Public Schools. Referrals are made from Kalamazoo Central and Loy Norrix high schools to assist students to move successfully between learning experiences at school and work.

The purpose of the program is to provide youth an opportunity to learn new skills that will help them obtain and maintain employment, as well as learn about the kind of behavior expected on a job.  An added benefit is the opportunity to work in the community in which they live.  The summer work experience provides youth, ages 14 - 24 from Kalamazoo or St. Joseph counties living in economically disadvantaged homes, the opportunity to work near their homes to develop social and employability skills while earning an income.  The year-round program for ages 14-21 includes on-the-job training and work experience.