Business Details
10 Years
experience
Your Partner for Youth Workforce Development
SummerWorks is a community-focused public-private-university partnership dedicated to youth empowerment and workforce development. Our mission is to build relationships between young adults, local employers, and the Washtenaw County community to promote equity through professional growth and career opportunities. Since 2016, we have connected 16-24-year-olds with 10-week summer internships, mentorship programs, and professional development sessions. Our collaborative approach leverages partnerships with organizations like the University of Michigan, MichiganWorks! Southeast, and Washtenaw County agencies to create pathways for financial and professional success. We prioritize accessibility, ensuring all young adultsregardless of backgroundgain essential job skills, leadership training, and networking opportunities.Our program emphasizes community engagement through events like service days and career exploration weeks. With over 200 local employer partners, we provide tailored internship experiences across diverse industries. Our team of success coaches and mentors supports participants in developing resumes, refining interview techniques, and setting long-term career goals. We maintain compliance with educational and employment standards while adapting to evolving workforce needs. Our commitment to transparency and community impact has made us a trusted resource for youth development in Washtenaw County.
Services
Summer internships
Mentorship programs
Professional development
Career exploration
Resume workshops
Networking events
Employer partnerships
Workforce training
Youth mentorship
Leadership development
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We connect youth with 100+ local employers across diverse industries
- Our mentorship program pairs participants with career-specific professionals
- Participants receive hands-on professional development in resume writing and interviewing
- We've successfully placed hundreds of young adults since 2016
- Our university partnerships provide unique educational resources
What people say
Opportunity to grow
Fresh perspectives
Positive social relationships
Career path clarity
Supportive mentors
Services
Summer internships
Our 10-week paid internships connect 16-24-year-olds with local employers across diverse industries. Participants gain hands-on work experience while developing professional skills. Employers receive motivated interns who bring fresh perspectives to their organizations.
Mentorship programs
We match young adults with experienced professionals for weekly guidance on career development and workplace navigation. Mentors help participants build networks and set achievable career goals through personalized support.
Professional development
Weekly sessions teach essential job skills including resume writing, interviewing techniques, and workplace professionalism. Industry professionals lead workshops on career preparation and leadership development for program participants.
Career exploration
Our program includes career assessment tools and employer networking events to help youth discover potential career paths. Participants explore different industries through workplace visits and professional presentations.
Employer partnerships
We collaborate with 200+ local employers to create internship opportunities and mentorship relationships. Our partners receive support with candidate matching, HR assistance, and workforce development resources.
People
Kathleen Clancey
Program Manager
Kathleen leads SummerWorks' strategic initiatives and program operations. With extensive experience in youth development, she oversees partnerships and ensures program quality.
Morgan Cox
Program Coordinator
Morgan manages day-to-day program logistics and participant support. They coordinate professional development sessions and maintain employer relationships to enhance internship opportunities.
Mel Monier
Senior Success Coach
Mel provides direct mentorship to participants and supervises coaching staff. With a background in education, they develop curriculum for career readiness workshops and leadership training.
Jasmin Gonzalez
Success Coach
Jasmin supports participants through their program journey. She specializes in resume development and interview preparation, helping youth present their skills effectively to potential employers.
Dallas Solomon
Youth Career Advisor
Dallas connects young adults with career resources and mentors. As a MichiganWorks! representative, they provide expertise in workforce development and employment services.
Questions
Who is eligible for SummerWorks?
Young adults aged 16-24 who live or attend school in Washtenaw County can apply. Participants must be available for the full 10-week program.
What does the program cost?
SummerWorks is free for participants. Employers pay interns $15-17/hour, with funding assistance available for qualifying organizations.
How are internship placements determined?
We match participants with employers based on career interests, skills, and program goals. Participants attend an interview event to connect with potential hosts.
What professional development is offered?
Weekly sessions cover resume writing, interviewing, workplace professionalism, and career planning. Participants also complete portfolio-building assignments and attend networking events.
How do employers benefit from participation?
Employers gain motivated interns who bring fresh perspectives while fulfilling community engagement goals. We provide HR support and help organizations develop future workforce talent.
What mentorship opportunities exist?
Mentors meet weekly with participants to discuss career paths, workplace challenges, and professional growth. The program provides training resources and structured curriculum for effective mentoring relationships.
