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Success Stories:


To kick off our new My Future, My Success series, we introduce Nikki and the adversity she overcame to position herself to achieve her personal and professional goals. 

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Our 2019 Skilled Trades Academy was a huge success, and Elijah shared his experience with us.

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Anthony first came to the Next Generation Zone after attending numerous high schools due to being in foster care. He was able to quickly complete his GED and build his résumé. Next Generation Zone helped connect Anthony to a job that is directly related to his goal of becoming a physical therapist. His hard work and determination have been inspiring, and we are excited to watch Anthony's life and career flourish. 

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Natashia first came to the Next Generation Zone to complete her high school education and prepare for the working world. Her passion for animals made her an ideal fit for an internship with the Spokane Humane Society where she helps to train and adopt out animals to loving homes. Natashia plans to further her education to become a Veterinary Technician where she will be able to continue caring for animals throughout her career.

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Alex landed a great job after completing her work based learning experience with the Inland Northwest AGC!

Alex Brineman, pictured here at the Construction Career Days at the Spokane County Fairgrounds, is a Next Generation Zone High School Equivalency certificate graduate. Alex started with a work based learning experience at the Inland Northwest AGC – The Associated General Contractors of America. The AGC offers valuable carpentry, construction equipment operators and laborer apprenticeship programs which give youth direct experience in a selected field. After successfully completing her work based learning opportunity she was hired as the Administrative Assistant to the AGC Apprenticeship Director.

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Alyssa worked closely with a career coach at the Next Generation Zone and began an internship at Spokane Community College as an Office Assistant. After completing the internship she was officially hired as the Center for Workforce and Continuing Education's Social Media/Office Assistant. This new start for Alyssa gives her the opportunity to earn income and prepare to return to college classes in the fall!

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Recently, Spokane County has partnered with the Next Generation Zone for several internships in its HR Department. Sherry Barrett, Employee Development Specialist at Spokane County, is a big believer in the Next Generation Zone internship program. Their most recent intern, Katiery (Kat), was brought on specifically to focus on marketing and graphic design. Sherry takes pride in customizing a unique learning plan for each intern. Kat was able to apply and expand her graphic design knowledge plus learn valuable new office skills while supporting the HR team in various ways. Read the full story to learn more about the process and experience!

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Next Generation Zone Alumni, Tyler, has a full circle experience as she trains new work experience participant, Lili.

Tyler started working at Taste Cafe through the work experience program at the Next Generation Zone. She has since been promoted to Assistant Manager and is going to college. She has been working with Next Generation Zone Career Specialist, Sarah, to develop a work experience opportunity for another student at the Next Generation Zone, Lili. Tyler is training Lili at Taste and as an Next Gen Alumni is supporting another person to be successfully employed!

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Building picnic tables help connect youth to community and develop valuable skills for careers.

Over the summer, Next Generation Zone partners NEWESD 101 and YouthBuild joined with Associated General Contractors (AGC) and the Spokane County Juvenile Court in developing a first-of-its kind summer training program for court-involved youth interested in construction. This building program was designed to create doorways to a brighter tomorrow for the participants! Read full story to learn more about this inspiring program.

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Joey learns valuable skills in the trades!

Joey, a Next Generation Zone young adult, participated in the Heavy Equipment Operator Apprentice Program and is now an Apprentice through the Inland Northwest AGC Apprenticeship Program. Read the full story and learn more about Joey's experience and this amazing opportunity for youth to enter a field with a living wage.

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"You are all miracle workers to me!" - Gigi

"I cannot say enough good things about the staff at Next Generation Zone and the work that they do.  The results show in the huge amount of confidence, engagement, and inspiration that Lilah has gained since she began working with them."
Read more about Lilah's successful experience working with the Career Specialists at the Next Generation Zone in the full story below.

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"I have all the confidence in the world that the Next Generation Zone team can assist anyone when it comes to bettering their future."

Madison had been job searching for over a month, and had applied to almost 50 jobs before she came to the Next Generation Zone. The team quickly worked to identify her skills and strengths, and help find her an opportunity that would support her family.

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"I know how to stay on the path towards my success"

Trevon joined YouthBuild in January 2015, and in short order completed his GED and the 21st Century Skills Academy. He worked with the YouthBuild team to learn construction skills, several industry certifications, and is starting college in the fall. Read more about Trevon and his amazing story.

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Alexis was 17 and a high school senior, with dreams of going to culinary school and no idea how to get there.  She wasn't living at home ,and needed to get a job to pay for living expenses.  She heard about the Next Generation Zone through her high school counselor, and decided to give it a shot.

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"It truly did change everything for me"

Caitlin was 19, trying to live on her own and struggling. Her parents had moved away, and she was unemployed. While looking through the job listings on Craigslist, she came across a post about the Next Generation Zone.

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"Thank you to the Next Generation Zone for saving my life"

Thomas was fresh out of detox with less than a week of clean time. He had just gotten off the bus from Minnesota looking for a fresh start.  He found the Next Generation Zone through a referral from WorkSource, and met his Career Specialist, who has played a vital role in his recovery and success on the job.

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"I'm able to walk into a career"

Kelsey was a high school senior and felt hopeless; her job search wasn't going anywhere. She heard about the Next Gen Zone from a family member and came in to get started.  With our help and her own motivation, Kelsey completed an internship, graduated high school, completed training, and now has started her own business to launch her career

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"You gave me an opportunity that changed my life"

After dropping out of high school after 9th grade, Teresa came to the Next Generation Zone searching for a job.  What she found was a supportive place that connected her with GED classes, career training, and motivation to enter college and pursue her education.  Teresa is now pursuing her degree in Dental Hygiene at Spokane Community College and working towards achieving her dreams.

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