The Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG) program includes classroom instruction, competency-based project- based learning, adult mentoring, summer employment training, student-led leadership development, job, and post-secondary education placement services, as well as 12-months of follow-up services after high school graduation. Due to COVID-19 and resulting school closures, JAG has pivoted to a virtual model to continue providing uninterrupted services to its participants.

JAG Coordinators are Trauma-Informed educators who double as mentors in local schools. Despite the disruption COVID has caused, they are continuing to provide critical JAG services, including the follow-up services and mentorship to their students for a full year after they graduate from high school. This is especially critical for the most recent graduating class – the Class of 2020 – as they face the most significant employment challenges in decades caused by the COVID pandemic.

“Thunderbirds Charities recognizes the essential work that Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates is doing and the outstanding results we’re achieving, even amid an unprecedented pandemic. These funds will help more local youth disproportionately impacted by COVID to succeed in school, jobs, and life,” said Graciela Garcia Candia, President of Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates. “We appreciate Thunderbirds Charities, who have donated funds to JAG in the past, but this most recent gift has an even more significant impact during a challenging year! The Thunderbirds Charities’ recent donation will help us support Arizona’s most vulnerable young people and build a high-quality workforce across the state.”

Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG)

This grant is part of the Fall 2020 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.