Support will help JAG reach more youth at risk of dropping out
(November 2014) GoDaddy, the world’s largest technology provider dedicated to small business announced its support of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) to help at-risk youth graduate from high school and become college and career ready.
GoDaddy is a sponsor of the 2014 Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) National Leadership Awards Luncheon on November 20th in Washington, D.C. The event brings together more than 800 people including: JAG’s National Board of Directors; leaders from its 31 State Affiliate Boards; the Executive Directors from JAG’s 31 State Affiliates; Federal, state, and local government; business and nonprofit organizational leadership; and approximately 500 JAG’s student leaders from across 31 states.
This year marks JAG’s one-millionth student served. Students have been enrolling in the program since its inception 35 years ago. Each of JAG’s 31 State Affiliates will be sending a nominated JAG student from their state to represent this milestone, including students from Arizona, Iowa and Washington, where local GoDaddy recruiters have already met or planning to meet with and engage JAG students in their local markets on employability skills development and community service.
JAG is a national non-profit serving nearly 50,000 at-risk youth in 1,000 communities across 31 states. Students who are not on a path to graduate from high school enroll in the program to help them focus on JAG’s National Employability Skills Curriculum, remediation and support to complete high school, guidance on pathways to post-secondary education, good jobs and community service. At the national level, more than 90 percent of JAG students graduate from high school and 80 percent of them move on to post-secondary education, jobs or combination of both.
Last year, JAG’s National Network of State Affiliates reported a 91 percent high school graduation rate, compared to the 2013 national graduation rate of 74.7 percent. Currently, the JAG model is offered in nearly 1,000 public high schools, community colleges and alternative learning centers in 31 states.
“We are delighted with this new sponsorship from GoDaddy, a company that is working hard to engage and give back to the communities in which they do business. With GoDaddy’s support, JAG will continue to serve at-risk youth across the country to help them overcome barriers that too often prevent them from achieving academic and economic success,” said JAG’s CEO and President, Ken Smith.
In more than three decades of operation, JAG has helped more than one million young people stay in school through graduation, pursue postsecondary education and secure quality entry-level jobs leading to career advancement opportunities.
GoDaddy has a long history of philanthropic work in support of a variety of charities and global organizations. To find out more, visit GoDaddyCares.com.