This year marked the 3rd year for collaborative summer outreach at the Martin Luther King (MLK) Center, the 2nd at YMCA, and first at the Jackson Housing Commission (JHC). CCAC Career Advisors once again carried out the Kids2College/Pathways to Professional Skilled Trades (K2C/PPST) curriculum to area students aged 7-14. For summer 2018, the CCAC also offered a weekly robotics session, hosted by Spring Arbor University.

Additionally, Summer Melt outreach services were offered to recent graduates; ensuring their post-secondary career plans were coming to fruition. This was the fourth year for our Summer Melt Outreach effort. Each May, Seniors make decisions for the upcoming year but, for one reason or another, some obstacle or barrier causes many of them to fall short of achieving their plans. In an effort to decrease the number of students falling through the cracks, the CCAC identified 936 students for the summer of 2018.

The CCAC is committed to decreasing the number of those students; making contact this summer through 2,400 text messages, phone calls, emails, and door-to-door outreach visits. Over a ten week campaign, our advisors connected with 498 students.

839 Seniors from all 13 districts had at least one post-secondary planning session with a CCAC College/Career Advisor.

86.36% of TIP (Tuition Incentive Program) eligible students applied for this valuable scholarship.

As a county, we surpassed 70% FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion.

Career Advisors met with 347 students who were interested in pursuing an alternative to the traditional 2-4 degree; completing resumes, cover letters, career assessments or job shadows with 77 of them.

We look forward to another successful year of 1-on-1 consultations with Jackson Seniors. This year, the CCAC is excited to announce an advising restructure that will place each advisor in fewer schools for longer periods of time each week. We are confident that the increased exposure and improved student to advisor ratio will create even greater opportunity for successes among students and partnerships within the 13 schools.

The College & Career Access Center, along with the Jackson County 4H Council and Jackson Symphony Orchestra, is honored to be chosen as one of the recipients of the Jackson Junior Welfare League's Gala beneficiaries. JJWL membership voted to award the monies raised by their annual Gala to these three organizations in Jackson County; each working towards Jackson Junior Welfare League's mission of building bright futures within the community. Each recipient organization shows components of "building bright futures" for our youth - including mentoring, enhancing educational opportunities, and helping youth be successful in their endeavors.

So, save the date for a night of fun and festivities to support these three organizations.