JOG the Web: JOG in the Community

JOG students volunteering at the Akron/Canton Foodbank

Aila Miller going up for a contested shot at Akron’s game against Miami (OH) on 2/25/23.

3/03/2023

When you think of Tri-County Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG), you probably think of our in-school services or even the after-school club. You may be surprised to hear that we are doing much more than that to help give back to our community! From volunteer hours to mentoring and even sponsoring events, we are here to give back to the communities that support our mission. Here are a few other ways JOG is involved in our community.

Though participants in the JOG program come to us in search of a GED, diploma, or career readiness, we also make sure to help them become well-rounded citizens for the future, too. One way we do this is through volunteering at local non-profits and community-based organizations like the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Opportunities like these give participants the chance to give back as well as the ability to be introduced to the world of non-profit work.

In addition, our follow-up program is designed to help JOG participants flourish in their new careers after their active JOG status ends. Participants continue to keep their Career Specialists updated on their successes and hiccups in their first steps towards their career environment. This program works to make sure our kids are both prepared to be successful in their continuing careers as well as the ability to have them grow into thriving citizens in our community

JOG is also passionate about engaging the community through creative channels. In conversations with The University of Akron, for example, we discussed how important it is to have JOG’s work presented to students and youth between 16-24 who may need career-readiness assistance. One way we show this is through sponsorship and support of The University of Akron’s sporting events. Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates was the sole sponsor of the women’s basketball team as well as a named sponsor of the men’s basketball team. This Sponsorship is a great way to engage the community with JOG’s mission benefits the young people we serve as well as the community.

We have been working hard to make sure that we give back to the communities that have supported us for over 35 years. Through efforts in volunteering, careers, and sponsoring local organizations, we are able to get our name in front of those we could help as well as future community partners.