Through Flint & Genesee Group’s Education & Talent division, we begin forming relationships with some of our residents as early as kindergarten. And as we come to the end of another school year, we’re proud to see so many former TeenQuest and YouthQuest students celebrate graduation from high school.

So, as the class of 2022 looks forward to what comes next – whether that’s college, a certification program, an apprenticeship or work experience – I’d like to highlight a few resources available to them along the way. The Group is committed to preparing and strengthening our future workforce, and we offer supports that can help them meet and exceed their goals.

One way we do this is through Flint Promise, a scholarship designed for students who live and graduate from a high school located in the City of Flint. The scholarship allows eligible students to attend college for little to no cost at three outstanding higher education institutions – Kettering University, Mott Community College and University of Michigan-Flint.

Additionally, this summer, the Group is partnering with local employers through the Flintern initiative to maximize the impact of their internship programs. Internships are a great way for students and young professionals build skills, their resume and their professional network. The Flintern initiative builds upon this experience by helping area interns make connections and learn about the resources, services and activities available to them locally.

For any professional under the age of 40, I recommend joining the Flint & Genesee Chamber’s Flint & Genesee Young Professionals Committee, which provides professional development, service learning and networking opportunities. The group is an amazing resource, especially for individuals starting their professional careers. There’s also Lead Now, an introspective leadership development program that teaches participants how to create a vision, develop followership and achieve results. Applications for the next cohort are due July 1.

Finally, we know that Gen Z is an entrepreneurial bunch, and the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance’s Small Business Help Desk is here to help them take their business ideas to the next level.

A great example of a young person who has utilized many of the Group’s programs and services is La’Asia Johnson, who participated in TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative just over a decade ago. After launching Elle Jae Essentials, an all-natural skin care, hair care and beard care line, La’Asia worked with our Economic Alliance team to identify and secure funding opportunities and recently joined the Flint & Genesee Chamber, which helped celebrate the opening of her new storefront in Flint’s University Avenue Corridor just last week. What’s especially exciting is that La’Asia has joined Summer Youth Initiative as employer, bringing her experience with the program full circle.

At Flint & Genesee Group, we aim to strengthen the local economy and create a place where people thrive, and businesses invest and grow. The class of 2022 plays an important role in helping us in this work. I encourage them to take advantage of these resources as they start their careers, hopefully right here in Flint & Genesee. Learn more at flintandgenesee.org.

Kristina Johnston is the chief operating officer of Flint & Genesee Group.