by Clarence W. Thomas, Jr.
MGI Contributor
thomasjr63@gmail.com
Former NFL standout Roger Jackson with Motivating Youth, Inc, and Retired educator, Commissioner Elaine Lucas, Director/Counselor at E L High School recently announced they have joined forces to help local citizens further their educational and career options.
The two community leaders say they feel that education and job opportunities are essential to building strong families and generational wealth in the community. Students will be encouraged to enroll in either or both programs depending on their career goals.
E L High School was established in 2011 to provide an opportunity for those wishing to complete their high school diploma. The high school academy is fully accredited by The Georgia Accrediting Commission and has over 1,800 graduates.
Jackson started Motivating Youth in 2008 as a summer and After School mentoring and tutoring based program for grade, middle school, and high school aged youngsters, as an alternative to negative activities. The collaboration between Jackson and Lucas is being conducted through the Adult Readiness Program – the adult component of Motiving Youth. Like the youth component, the adult program is free.
Participants in the Adult Readiness program are taught to successfully navigate their personal and professional lives according to Jackson. They get help with educational advancement, securing jobs, and improving their life skills. Since the program began it has graduated 190 students, secured 189 jobs, and positively impacted 736 households connected to graduates according to Jackson.
The program uses mock interviews to prepare participants for the acquisition of their GED’s and to poise them for work or higher education. “The thing is to connect the dots. My job is to get them gainful employment,” says Jackson.
Some Adult Readiness members have criminal records making it harder for them to secure work. And that’s often compounded by them not having their high school diploma or the equivalent. That’s where the partnership bridges a big gap and provides them with the tools needed in their kits. “I’m proud to partner with Roger. Our school exists to assist with improving our community and that’s what our collaboration is doing,” said Lucas moments before the start of a recent Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages sponsored Women’s History Month event at the Douglass Theatre.
Jackson is equally excited about the collaboration and feels it’s poised to greatly impact the lives of his program participants. The Adult Readiness program allows people in it to make up for bad past decisions, lost time, and broken promises made to their families. The goal is an improved life that provides hope and inspiration to their children, grandchildren, and those unborn says Jackson. “Elaine’s school is one of the best high school programs in the state,” he added. “These Adult Readiness program participants are actually going to her and coming out on top.”
In addition to the outcomes of the partnership both hope that what they are doing serves as an example of what can happen when service of the community exceeds profit, territories, notoriety, and egos. “Our lives have been about service. Teaming up with Roger is a testament to our commitment to continuing doing so,” said Lucas. “Put your egos aside if it’s holding up working together for the greater good,” Jackson stressed. “We’ve been working to do that, and this partnership is a testament to our effort.”
E L High School’s next commencement ceremony will be June 29 at 5pm at St Peters Baptist Church. Application packets are available at the school office at 624 Shurling Drive in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center. Call 478-257-6767 for more information.
The Adult Readiness program is available for ages 19 and older. Interested persons can enroll by showing up Monday – Thursday from 8:30am-1pm at the Buck Melton Center (150 Sessions Rd). Classes resume on April 8. Call 478-320- 4756 for additional information.
