MyPath Mahoning Valley Reaches Finals in National Contest

MyPath Mahoning Valley was recently named a finalist and winner of a $3,500 grant in the Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge, a nationwide competition among organizations focused on careers and skills development.

MyPath, which helps local high school and middle school students prepare for college and careers, was one of 14 finalists selected out of hundreds of entries from 24 states. The grant funds will cover MyPath’s 2024 participation in the Skills Friendly Cities Network, a group of nonprofits that share best practices and connect with business and city leaders invested in youth skills development.

The Southern California College Attainment Network, a Los Angeles nonprofit similar to MyPath, won the challenge and its $100,000 top prize.

“Our selection as a finalist in this large, national field validates the work we do to help our client students define and prepare for their first destination after high school graduation, whether to college, post-high-school training or directly to the workforce in positions that initially provide self-sustaining and eventually family-sustaining wages and benefits,” said Gerri Jenkins, executive director of MyPath.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to learn from our colleagues in the Skills Friendly Cities Network and sharpen our work even further.”

The challenge is organized annually by the Global Business Coalition for Education, a New York-based group of employers committed to workforce development and training. The initiative enjoys financial support from Dell Technologies and Deloitte. More information is available at gbc-education.org.

Established in 2001, MyPath Mahoning Valley provides resources and tools that help high school and middle students explore post-secondary education, career and technical training, job opportunities and military service. MyPath currently serves students and families in Youngstown, Warren and Campbell. More information is available at mypathmv.org.