Northwest Mississippi Community College's Adult Education and WIOA partnered alongside Northwest's Horticulturist Len Lawhon of Olive Branch to help students train for success by working with the horticulture team to help keep the Northwest campuses beautiful. Since they began implementing this program in 2021, they have had a total of 12 students go through the program. The program started as a collaboration among Director of WIOA and WIN Job Center Operations Jennifer Casey of Senatobia, Director of Adult Education Jennifer Williams of Senatobia and Lawhon.
The Gateway Out-of-School Youth Program is funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which serves eligible youth and young adults by connecting them with job opportunities. The goal is to help them develop skills that put them in high-demand jobs while meeting them where they are. Through this program, participants can overcome barriers, receive their GED or HSE, earn credentials and successfully transition into college, short-term training, or a career.
"Adult Education is a vital partner in the success of our WIOA Out-of-School Youth program,” said Casey. “Our partnership allows us to meet young people where they are and provide the education, career training, work experience, and supportive services they need to overcome barriers and move forward. The Adult Education team goes above and beyond to support our participants, and together, we are helping young people build the confidence, skills, and hope they need to achieve their educational and career goals."
This project is 100% funded by federal funds through the WIOA, in the amount of $293,000, through Three Rivers Planning and Development District, Inc./The Mississippi Partnership Local Workforce Development Board. No nongovernmental funds support this project.
“My goal every day is to change lives and strengthen communities by helping young adults overcome barriers, achieve their educational and career goals, and connect to meaningful employment opportunities," said said Rachelle Washington, Northwest's WIOA Internship, Youth and Special Programs coordinator. "The WIOA Gateway Out-of-School Youth Program encourages strong partnerships with Adult Education (AE) and workforce programs, community organizations, employers, and military personnel. These partnerships create a network of support that connects participants to opportunities to earn their HSE, obtain certifications, develop job skills, explore career pathways, gain valuable work experience, and pursue military enlistment when appropriate. By working together, these partners expand resources, open doors to new opportunities, and provide young adults with the guidance and support they need to build confidence and achieve self-sufficiency. When young people succeed, families become stronger, employers gain skilled workers, and communities become stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous.”
The program has proven to be effective through Northwest building students up to the next level of their education or preparing them for the workforce. Lawhon said that this "work-education" arrangement benefits not only the students but helps fill critical needs at the college by helping with the upkeep of the grounds. It teaches them valuable skills including "work-life accountability" that prepares them for balancing various aspects of their life.
"Of our WIOA members, nine completed their GED while working with us, five enrolled as full or part-time students at NWCC, three graduated with either an associate degree or tech certification and are employed using those credentials, and two are currently working on their associate degree," said Lawhon. "Of our student interns, six are still working with us, two are now students at Ole Miss or Mississippi State, one is in our nursing school, and two have completed associate degrees."
Success isn't about the end goal for Lawhon, but about helping endow them with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain in today's job market. One of those vital skills is adaptability, which prepares these students for wherever their life takes them after the program and into their next career venture.
"Adult Education is very fortunate to partner with the WIOA Out-Of-School Youth Program," said Williams. "We are very appreciative to have them work with all of our sites while providing our students with career choices within their pathway. This is a tremendous partnership that helps lead to our students' success."
Northwest’s Horticulturist Len Lawhon (left), and grounds workers Dillon Oldham (middle) and Anthony Harvey (right). Photo by Sarah Smith-Hutchinson
For students like Dillon Oldham from Strayhorn, this allowed him the chance to earn his GED and get opportunities he didn't otherwise get to see in his future, starting with help from grounds team member Anthony Harvey of Arkabutla, who regularly picked up Oldham and brought him to work.
Impressed by his work ethic and ability to work in harsh conditions, Harvey kept encouraging Oldham as well as advocating that eventually he should be part of the full-time grounds team at Northwest after his completion of the WIOA program and getting his GED. It wasn't long after that Oldham was able to get his license and drive himself to work.
Oldham credits his ability to be able to get the job and receive his GED to the help he received from the WIOA program and all those who encouraged him through the process, which included the Adult Ed educators who helped him and the grounds team members like Lawhon and Harvey who encouraged him through the whole process.
Northwest art student Audrey Wade of Senatobia performing her work as part of the grounds crew at Northwest. Photo by Sarah Smith-Hutchinson
Audrey Wade of Senatobia just started her first year as an art student at Northwest after finishing the Adult Education program. Wade said the WIOA program gave her an opportunity to work while improving herself through education.
"The teachers and faculty of the Adult Education program have given me a second chance I never thought I had," Wade said. "I appreciate all the encouragement they have given me to make me move forward to the next point in my life."
For more information on Northwest's Adult Education program, visit www.northwestms.edu/programs/adult-education. For more information on WIOA and workforce training, visit www. https://www.northwestms.edu/programs/workforce.