Kalamazoo reaping benefits from Promise Zone; Muskegon can, too

Promise helps Kalamazoo weather tough times

Kalamazoo is reaping lots of benefits as a Promise Zone inclusing a surge in college enrollment as well as a surge in elementary-, middle- and high-school enrollment.
The area also has outpaced the rest of the state in a number of economic indicators.

Muskegon County is one of 10 Promise Zones in Michigan and the only one that spans an entire county. Muskegon Opportunity, in conjunction with the Muskegon Promise Zone,
has a real opportunity to lead the state and the nation in making post-secondary education a reality for all students.

Learn more about the local Promise Zone here.

Be part of a graduation generation.

Muskegon Opportunity is working to ensure all high-school students in the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District are prepared for and have access to post-secondary education; to build a culture of learning in the Muskegon County area; and to contribute to the economic revitalization of the Muskegon County area.

What is “graduation generation”?

Creating a Graduation Generation is an effort led by the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Muskegon Public Schools and the Council of Cooperating Churches and funded in part by a grant from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County to combat escalating dropout rates and sagging graduation rates in Muskegon County.

Why is this a problem in our community?

Muskegon County is changing. Years ago, young people were able to rely on the plethora of good-paying manufacturing jobs to build their livelihoods and support themselves and their families. But nowadays, young people cannot rely on those kinds of jobs, which now either are no longer available or require technical skills and training. Students who do not pursue some kind of education after high school or who drop out are getting left behind.

How is Muskegon Opportunity addressing the issue?

Muskegon Opportunity wants to help students prepare for and obtain access to post-secondary education by giving them the information and assistance they need to succeed and, in turn, help revitalize and stimulate the local economy by helping young people become highly qualified, highly skilled workers.

We encourage you to explore our website to learn more about us, our goals and our programs.

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