Jobs for Nevada’s Graduates inspires, supports and mentors students to create a powerful and positive future.

Ensuring students graduate and reach their potential.

When you put a caring adult in the life of a young person who is struggling or feels lost, you change the trajectory of their future. That is what J4NG does. We don’t just help a student graduate and consider our mission accomplished. It’s not. Instead, we are committed to inspiring, supporting and mentoring every student in J4NG to reach their fullest potential. Our organization has a passion not just to help students avoid negative outcomes, but to launch them on the path of creating their own brighter futures and a brighter future for all of us!

When you put a caring adult in the life of a young person who is struggling or feels lost, you change the trajectory of their future. That is what J4NG does. We don’t just help a student graduate and consider our mission accomplished. It’s not. Instead, we are committed to inspiring, supporting and mentoring every student in J4NG to reach their fullest potential. Our organization has a passion not just to help students avoid negative outcomes, but to launch them on the path of creating their own brighter futures and a brighter future for all of us!

ISABELLE, Class of 2017

When her plans to attend her university of choice fell through, 2017 J4NG graduate Isabelle applied for the Tesla Manufacturing Development Program at the Sparks Gigafactory. There, she enjoyed an excellent starting salary, benefits, and stock options. It also gave Isabelle an intensive, paid apprenticeship. Today, Isabelle plans to continue her journey at Tesla, and advance her knowledge in robotics and automation. She also serves as a peer mentor for J4NG students following in her footsteps.

Get Involved

J4NG = Balance

Hear one students’ thoughts about the J4NG program.

Low Cost, High Impact, and 4 Decades of Results.

Jobs for America’s Graduates works. Nationally, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) students have achieved 90% plus graduation rates in 39 states for over 40 years. In Nevada, 96% of J4NG students graduate from high school. This is remarkable as students were identified when their grades dropped, attendance declined or they ran into disciplinary problems. Each and every J4NG student that graduates is a big win because their success was previously in peril.

J4NG is the gateway to career pathways too, and 93% of 2019 graduates found themselves working full-time, going to college full-time or combining both for a full-time endeavor. At a cost under $1,400 per student per year, J4NG delivers the highest outcomes by providing students with a minimum of 120 contact hours per student per year.

(Click to view)

You Can Make a Difference

Volunteer, Donate, Get Involved.

Please support young Nevadans’ futures. Your J4NG investment will yield a lifetime of dividends in families uplifted and communities transformed.

VOLUNTEER
DONATE

(Click to view)

You Can Make a Difference

Volunteer, Donate, Get Involved.

Please support young Nevadans’ futures. Your J4NG investment will yield a lifetime of dividends in families uplifted and communities transformed. Explore recent data from Program Year 2019-2020 to see total enrollment and entry data as well as key outcomes for program graduates.

VOLUNTEER
DONATE
0
Current Youth in Program
0
Cumulative Youth Served Since Inception
0%
Graduation Rate (Goal is 90%)
0%
Full-Time Positive Outcomes – Work, College, Military or a combination to equal full time (Goal is 75%)

J4NG PROGRAMS

J4NG - Aaron Sanchez at Bonanza

Graduation and Workforce Development Programs

The Multi-Year Graduation and Workforce Development Programs help 9th to 12th graders prepare for and successfully complete high school and connect to a career pathway. Youth identified as benefiting from this program are enrolled in the elective credit Employability Skills class at their high school and remain in the program for 12 months following graduation.  Located in 51 high schools serving 15 of Nevada’s 17 counties, youth that might not have graduated are now on a path to a successful future.

J4NG - Jadon Sierra Vista Class of 2021

Workforce Pathways Program

Following high school graduation, youth participate in the Workforce Pathways Program receiving assistance to enter job skills training whether through an apprenticeship, accreditation program or traditional post-secondary education. Working with many community training partners such as TESLA, Kinross, CSN, TMCC, GBC, Tech Impact and many others, J4NG provides opportunities to engage youth ready to learn and succeed.

J4NG - Carl Sheet Metal Worker

Supportive Service Program

Youth enter the J4NG program with an average of 7 barriers (there are 38 identified barriers that fall into these categories: academic, economic, familial, or environmental) that interfere with reaching graduation and employment. The Supportive Service program provides resources to remove these barriers to education and/or employment and can take many forms: helping youth obtain a work card, apply to college, access transportation to school or work, purchase necessary job attire or tools, etc. A seemingly small investment pays dividends for the future of our youth and the community.

J4NG STAFF

The management team at J4NG, led by Dr. Rene Cantu is composed of professionals who are committed to student-centered success.

Verleana Bright

State Program Director

Theresa Jackson

Program Manager

Rene Cantu

Executive Director

Peggy Oliver

Accountant

Jean Irvine

Administrative Assistant

Mathew Stallworth

Program Manager

Kristel-Ann Galarce

Program Manager

Jenna Plumb

Human Resources Manager

Francisco Rivero

Assistant State Director of Programs

Debbie Tarantino

Director of Finance and Operations

Ann Wozniak

Development Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

J4NG is governed by a statewide Board of Directors with the majority selected from private business and industry. 

Tray Abney

Board Secretary | Abney Tauchen Group

Seng-Dao Keo

Washoe County School District

Paul Moradkhan

Chamber of Commerce

Nancy Brune

Guinn Center for Policy Priorities

Mike Barton

Clark County School District

Matt Morris

Holland and Hart LLP

Marina McHatton

Nevada Dept of Education

Maria Jose Gatti

Board Chair / MGM

Juanita Fain

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Jennifer Day

Independent Consultant

Jay Bloom

Pegasus Group Holdings

Janice Newman

Board VP / Newman HR, LLC

Hannah Brown

Urban Chamber of Commerce

Gabriel Gonzalez

NV Virtual Academy | Board Treasurer

Chelsea Capurro

Griffin Company

Brian Formisano

Wells Fargo

Alex Farley

Aristocrat Technology

J4NG Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

J4NG’s vision and mission reflect our fundamental belief that all people belong and deserve fairness, justice, and inclusivity.

J4NG is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms.  We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the education and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive.  We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

At J4NG:

  • We will foster and maintain a safe environment of respect and inclusion for employees, students, and members of the communities we serve.
  • We will educate our employees and students to be social justice advocates, creatively providing curricula, programs, and environments that reflect the diversity of our communities, and elevate cultural awareness.
  • We will ensure fair and inclusive access to our partner school locations, programs, resources, and services, and also ensure that all of our policies and practices are inclusive and equitable.
  • We will advance and build our workforce by assessing hiring practices and performance review procedures to attract, retain, and develop talented employees from diverse backgrounds.
  • We will address intergroup disparities in areas such as representation, retention, learning outcomes, and graduation rates.

J4NG’s vision and mission reflect our fundamental belief that all people belong and deserve fairness, justice, and inclusivity.

J4NG is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms.  We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the education and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive.  We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

At J4NG:

  • We will foster and maintain a safe environment of respect and inclusion for employees, students, and members of the communities we serve.
  • We will educate our employees and students to be social justice advocates, creatively providing curricula, programs, and environments that reflect the diversity of our communities, and elevate cultural awareness.
  • We will ensure fair and inclusive access to our partner school locations, programs, resources, and services, and also ensure that all of our policies and practices are inclusive and equitable.
  • We will advance and build our workforce by assessing hiring practices and performance review procedures to attract, retain, and develop talented employees from diverse backgrounds.
  • We will address intergroup disparities in areas such as representation, retention, learning outcomes, and graduation rates.

GET INVOLVED TODAY


Are you interested in supporting J4NG in its mission to help elevate achievement outcomes for Nevada Students?
J4NG works because people are committed to helping youth. If you want to join us or know a student who needs our help, contact us.