National media has a way of sensationalizing and bringing "bad news" to the headlines. What is often missed is the positive or "good news" side of the story. Here in Northwest Michigan, there really are some bright spots.

At a recent Job Fair in Petoskey, for example, over 400 job seekers met with employers. "This was a great opportunity for people looking for work," said Sara Hollister, career advisor at Northwest Michigan Works! which sponsored the event. 

Sandra Shaw had been looking for work since moving to Michigan a few months ago. "The job fair was fantastic," she said. "It was the perfect set-up. There was tons of information from Michigan Works! and a great variety of businesses." As a result of the job fair, she had three phone calls from the businesses she spoke with that day and was hired by Bluegreen Resorts.

Bluegreen Resorts Marketing also hired Thomas Tock who had been substitute teaching while looking for work. "The job fair helped me to meet with employers and secure my job," he said. Tock is now a promotional sales representative in Bluegreen's Mackinaw City location. "I'm grateful for the staff and services of Michigan Works, as well as the job fair," he said.

"The job fair makes the hiring process more convenient for job seekers and employers. Employers had the advantage of seeing over 400 job seekers on this single afternoon," stated Angie Ross, Michigan Works! Business Liaison for Charlevoix and Emmet counties.

Kristin Clark, HR Director at Petoskey Plastics agreed. "Bottom line, the job fair really freed up my time and was an efficient way to shake hands with many people. It really allowed me to collect information and make a determination of who to invite for interviews." Clark hired several people, including a Sales Coordinator and a Maintenance Technician.

Pam Musselman, who had been looking for work since January, was hired as sales coordinator. She took advantage of services offered through the Michigan Works! resource room during her job search. Musselman talked with several employers at the job fair including her new employer, Petoskey Plastics.

Glen's North, which will soon take on the name Glen's Fresh Market Place after their extensive renovation, has posted their jobs with Michigan Works! and three members of their HR Department attended the job fair. Since mid-March, they have hired 60 new people and are planning to hire approximately twelve more staff members in time for their Grand Re-Opening Celebration on June 24.

Quiznos of Petoskey will be opening its doors in July. Interviews are being conducted on a walk-in basis at the Michigan Works! Service Center at 2225 Summit Park Drive in Petoskey. The interview times are set for Monday, June 16, 2008, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Wednesday, June 18th, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, or Friday, June 20th, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Job seekers are encouraged to visit a nearby Michigan Works! Center. Click Here for locations in Northwest Michigan.

The Beaver Island Lighthouse Alternative School honored twenty-six students--eight of which earned their high school diplomas--during its Spring 2008 Class Graduation/Completion Ceremony. Strong support of family and friends was evident at the event which was held on May, 15, 2008 in Charlevoix.

Students received a Certificate of Completion for successfully meeting the requirements for the program.

Click Here to visit the Beaver Island Lighthouse School graduation Web page.

	Toni Wayda

Toni Wayda, instructor at Kalkaska Michigan Works! Learning Lab, has been honored as "Citizen of the Year" for Kalkaska County. The award is sponsored by the Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce.

Nearly 100 community leaders and chamber members were in attendance as Rob Barnard, advisory board chair, made the announcement and presentation at the Chamber's annual luncheon on April 9. "Toni Wayda has been an outstanding mentor, teacher, and role model. Her tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for her students has resulted in life changing events leading to greater means of self-sufficiency for numerous citizens of Kalkaska County," Barnard said.

Kalkaska Chamber of Commerce president Annie Shetler concurs. "She is the perfect example of what being a Citizen of the Year is all about. Toni went above and beyond the call of duty serving her adult students over the past 22 years."

Toni Wayda has served adult learners seeking to improve their competencies in reading, writing, or math, or those with a desire to learn how to use a computer. Toni has also helped adults complete their high school education. All who have walked through the Kalkaska Learning Lab door were greeted by a caring teacher who was ready and enthusiastic about helping them meet their goals. 

The Citizen of the Year Award has been in existence since 1970 according to the Kalkaska Chamber's Web site. Congratulations to Toni Wayda!

Melissa Ruba, Business Liaison for Manistee County, was the featured speaker at the March 20th netWork Luncheon hosted by Women's Economic Resource Center (WERC) in Manistee.

	Women's Economic Resource Center Luncheon

Ruba provided an overview of the many resources offered by Northwest Michigan Works! Center in Manistee. The office, located at 1660 US-31 South, provides assistance to job seekers and local employers. Computers, phones, copy machine, and fax machines are available for job search and business development purposes. Staff people are available to provide help and answer questions.

"Businesses sometimes are unaware of our capabilities. The Business Liaison is the connection and single point of entry to many resources which can assist a business," stated Ruba.

The Business Liaison draws from the resources, services, and expertise of many partners within the Business Enhancement Team--including but not limited to Michigan Works! programs.

"We provide access to such services as employee recruitment, screening, and referral; workforce training and skills upgrading; tax incentives; business retention services; exporting assistance; small business counseling and planning; technical assistance to procure government contracts; and much more."

	Judy Crockett, WERC and Melissa Ruba, business liaison

But Ruba also spoke of help for those wanting to be in the workforce. She sees healthcare as a strong industry in the region. And she said that manufacturing is not dead. She gave a few examples of companies which have some promise for better-than-average entry-level wages.

One attendee was particularly looking forward to Ruba's presentation. "I want to find out about opportunities for my 35-year-old daughter, a single-parent, who recently had to make a career change."

Judy Crockett, Board Chair of the Women's Economic Resource Center was happy about the turnout and the response. "We hold our netWork Luncheons to provide information, such as this, that will support the professional development and leadership of women and girls in and around Manistee County," she said.

WERC's netWork Luncheons meet on the third Thursday of each month.

Michigan Works! Centers of Northwest Michigan are located in Manistee, Cadillac, Traverse City, Kalkaska, and Petoskey. There are seven business liaisons serving the 10-county region of the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.

Melissa Ruba, Business Liaison for Manistee County, may be contacted at (231) 398-3167.

From right to left: Student Shawn Schmuckal, teacher Sue Schultz, and student Debby Dixon

It was a standing room only crowd on the evening of Thursday June 14^th as over 350 family and friends gathered to watch the TBAISD/Michigan Works! Adult Education Class of 2007 walk across the stage at NMC's Milliken Auditorium. This year's class included 18 graduates receiving their high school diploma and 104 receiving their General Educational Development (GED) certificates. The Northwind Brass delivered the processional march music, Pomp and Circumstance, and entertained the audience with other musical selections. Students were greeted at a reception immediately following the ceremony in the lobby of the auditorium.

Mr. Ralph Soffredine, retired Traverse City Police and Fire Chief, addressed the graduates sharing his own life experience. He explained that he had been a high school dropout when he entered military service and upon discharge came to the realization that his future prospects were limited without further education. He went on to receive his GED and then entered college, eventually receiving both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. During his long career in law enforcement Mr. Soffredine pursued continuing education courses and became an instructor in community colleges and universities in Michigan and the U.S. and also taught in the Ukraine. Mr. Soffredine's message urged graduates to continue a lifelong passion to learn.

Christoval Sanchez represented his class and provided the first student graduation speech. He explained that he had been homeless and worked two jobs while attending the Traverse City Michigan Works! Learning Lab. He told of riding his bike through snowstorms and heavy traffic in the middle of the night to and from work and attending class - often for 10 hours a day - in an effort to complete his credits for a high school diploma. "Because I persevered, I can now proudly say that I have set an example for my children," said Sanchez. He received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his speech.

The second student speaker, Alaina Everett from the East Jordan Learning Lab, spoke of the great worth of obtaining the "tassle with the hassle." Many graduates sitting in the front rows of the auditorium nodded their heads at her description of not completing their education in the traditional way because the time wasn't right. On behalf of all the graduates she thanked those people that supported them and pushed them to strive for the best.

In the midst of an already poignant graduation ceremony, three generations of one family celebrated the milestone together. Grandmother Florence Tracy-Girven and daughter Debby Emmons-Dixon both completed their high school diploma through the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District's Adult Education program. Granddaughter Carolyn Dixon had received her diploma from Traverse City West Senior High School the previous weekend.

The Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District Adult Education Program is operated by Northwest Michigan Works! Instruction is provided in the areas of adult basic education math, reading and language; high school completion; GED preparation; English as a Second language and basic computer skills. Services are offered at six Learning Labs located throughout Northwest Michigan and at the Career-Tech Center in Traverse City. Close to 2000 students are served each year at these sites.