JAG Nevada: Empowering students to overcome barriers
Jobs for America’s Graduates Nevada helps students overcome barriers through mentoring, career guidance, and life skills training, transforming lives for over a decade.
For many students in Nevada, the path to success after high school can seem daunting, especially when faced with social, economic, or personal barriers. But one program has been quietly transforming lives across the state for over a decade, helping thousands of young people overcome these challenges and build promising futures.
A decade of empowering Nevada’s youth
In the past 10 years, Jobs for America’s Graduates Nevada (JAG) has grown to serve nearly 3,000 students across 47 high schools in 14 school districts throughout Nevada. The program specifically targets schools with high percentages of students from low-income households.
René Cantú, JAG Nevada’s Executive Director, explains, “The mission of the program is to help young people who face barriers to their success to be able to reengage with school and to graduate and to more importantly, to enter career pathways that will help them build a good, prosperous life for themselves and their families.”
Beyond traditional education
The program offers more than just academic support. Through elective classes, students receive career exploration guidance, resume writing skills, and access to after-school activities and tutoring. In 2017, JAG Nevada formed a strategic partnership with Tesla, creating apprenticeship opportunities at the company’s Gigafactory in northern Nevada. This partnership includes practical support such as covering the first month’s rent and apartment application fees for participants.
JAG specialist Hanna Andersen tailors her classes to students’ real-world needs, teaching essential skills like understanding tax forms, cursive signature writing, and apartment hunting. The program’s success largely stems from its comprehensive mentoring approach, which continues well beyond graduation.
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