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July 01, 2025
Innovative program provides hand-on experience, job training and mentorship to help young adults turn classroom learning into career opportunity
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), in partnership with Urban Alliance-Detroit, is celebrating the placement of 50 Michigan Reconnect students into paid, career-aligned internships with leading employers across Southeast Michigan.
“Internships like these don’t just prepare students for the workforce, they connect them directly to it,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “We are proud to invest in this innovative partnership, which is not only helping young adults launch their careers but also strengthening Michigan’s talent pipeline across critical industries.”
Selected from more than 120 applicants, these young adults — ages 21–24 — are gaining access through the new partnership designed to bridge classroom learning with hands-on experience and professional development. Most began their placements this week, with the remaining students scheduled to start on a rolling basis as they complete a four-week onboarding course.
“At Urban Alliance, we believe that pathways to economic mobility must be both accessible and responsive to the realities young adults face,” said Alphonso Amos, executive director of Urban Alliance-Detroit. “The new Reconnect Internship Program represents a vital investment in reconnecting opportunity youth, particularly those who’ve been underserved by traditional systems, to the training, mentorship, and paid work experiences they need to thrive. We’re proud to support this initiative and look forward to aligning our efforts to ensure more young people in Michigan can move from potential to purpose.”
Funded by an $800,000 grant awarded to Urban Alliance-Detroit by MiLEAP, the program is part of Michigan’s broader strategy to support Reconnect students with career-relevant experiences that lead to stronger employment outcomes. Internship placements span multiple sectors and include partners such as the City of Detroit, DTE Energy Foundation, Henry Ford Health, Black Tech Saturdays, and Birth Detroit. Through the program, interns receive paid training, one-on-one mentoring and wraparound supports to help them succeed both academically and professionally.
"Having an internship in business through the Michigan Reconnect Program is a game-changer for my career,” said Rachel Kozminski, a Reconnect student placed at Birth Detroit and currently attending Washtenaw Community College. “It’s giving me hands-on experience, real-world skills, and the confidence to apply what I’m learning in the classroom to actual business challenges. This opportunity is a huge step forward in my professional journey."
"I’m incredibly excited and grateful to be accepted into the Michigan Reconnect Program,” said Jonas Freeman, a Reconnect student placed at the City of Detroit, also attending Washtenaw Community College. “This opportunity means so much to me. It’s the first big step toward building a better future and achieving my career goals. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!"
Employer partners are enthusiastic about the potential for long-term workforce development.
“DTE values the importance of workforce development, and our ongoing partnership with Urban Alliance continues to be a strong avenue for cultivating future talent,” Laurie J. Washington, program manager of Workforce Development at DTE Energy. “Collaborating with MiLEAP further enhances this effort by providing opportunities to engage with emerging talent at both the high school and college levels. Together, these partnerships help ensure we are building a robust and diverse talent pipeline for the future.”
“As a leading healthcare provider, Henry Ford Health is deeply committed to cultivating a diverse and highly skilled workforce that can meet the ever-evolving demands of our industry,” said Catherine Susko, director of Workforce Development and Planning at Henry Ford Health. “We believe that the future of healthcare hinges not only on technological innovations but also on the dedication and expertise of individuals who serve our communities. By engaging students early in their educational journey and equipping them with essential skills and experiences, we are investing in the future of healthcare and ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality care. Henry Ford Health has a longstanding and successful partnership with Urban Alliance-Detroit, which provides paid internships to Detroit high school students — and now, to young adults in the Michigan Reconnect Program. These internships offer invaluable, hands-on experience to young people who need it most. We are excited by the expansion of their program, which includes paid professional development training, internships, and personalized one-on-one support. Such initiatives align with our commitment to workforce development and community engagement.”
This initiative aligns with Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a postsecondary degree or skills certificate to 60% by the year 2030. To learn more about Sixty by 30 visit, Michigan.gov/Sixtyby30.
About Michigan Reconnect
Michigan Reconnect is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for eligible participants 25 years old and older to attend an in-district community college tuition-free or offers a significantly reduced tuition rate for participants to attend an out-of-district community college. The program temporarily lowered the age to adults 21-24; the application is now closed and accepted applicants must enroll and begin taking classes no later than summer 2025. To learn more and apply to Michigan Reconnect, get started at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
About Urban Alliance
Urban Alliance is a leading nonprofit organization that bridges the gap between education and the workforce by providing high school and college students with meaningful work opportunities. Since its inception, Urban Alliance has partnered with over 200 employers nationwide to deliver transformative experiences for young adults. Visit UrbanAlliance.org to learn more.
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