The Michigan Works! Adult Education team celebrated a record-breaking year Tuesday night, recognizing 52 graduates who earned their GEDs- the highest number of graduates in the program’s history.
The milestone follows the launch of a new partnership with the Berrien County Jail, created to help adult learners work toward earning their GED before reentering the community.
“We hit an all-time high this year, watching 52 graduates earn their GED,” said Mandi Somers, Adult Education Manager at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “These are not just numbers; they are individuals who made the decision to create a better future for themselves. We know education is often the first step toward employment, but we also know getting started can feel intimidating. One of the benefits of having Adult Education as part of Michigan Works! is that learners have access to a wide range of additional services and support. We are incredibly grateful for the many partners who help our students overcome significant barriers and achieve this important milestone. We could not be more proud of our graduates.”
A key contributor to this year’s record was the newly established partnership with the Berrien County Jail, which expanded educational opportunities for justice-involved individuals.
“What started as an idea became an incredibly impactful reality for adults in the Berrien County Jail,” said Somers. “Of the 52 graduates recognized this year, 9 earned their GED through the partnership with the Berrien County Jail.”
“Many individuals look forward to the day they are released, but they may not have a clear plan for what comes next,” said Capt. Celena Herbert, Jail Administrator at the Berrien County Jail. “This program has been instrumental in helping participants create that plan. Although we saw 9 graduates from the jail program, it has been inspiring to see 43 individuals take advantage of this opportunity to invest in themselves and their futures. I am incredibly proud of those who chose to continue their education while in our care so they can build brighter futures when they return to the community.”
“We are grateful to have partners like Capt. Herbert who believe education is the foundation for long-term success,” said Somers. “We look forward to expanding this partnership and helping even more individuals achieve their educational and career goals in the years ahead.”
The Michigan Works! Adult Education team helps adult learners create individualized learning plans, work at their own pace in service center learning labs, access GED preparation resources from home, and overcome barriers that may stand in the way of their success. There are currently 287 individuals enrolled in the Adult Education program, 43 of them are from the Berrien County Jail program.
In addition to serving students at the Berrien County Jail, Adult Education staff offer services at the Benton Harbor Michigan Works! Service Center, Paw Paw Michigan Works! Service Center, and the Galien Public Library.
Individuals interested in earning their GED or improving their education are encouraged to connect with the Michigan Works! Adult Education team. For more information about locations, hours, and available services, visit miworks.org/find-education.
Michigan Works! of Berrien, Cass, Van Buren specializes in educating, training, and employing individuals of all ages. We work with local businesses to find out what keeps them up at night and help them tackle the most pressing challenges they may face, including attracting and retaining talent. For more information, visit www.miworks.org.
