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Clinton Global Initiative Cites Kinexus

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Team Kinexus has essentially gone global thanks to a major partnership with Cengage Learning. The Benton Harbor-based team of change agents this week joined the ranks of global organizations on Monday evening for its industry-leading partnership with Cengage Learning. The organization was included in the Detroit Collective Impact recognition presented on-stage at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative meeting. Kinexus was the first workforce development organization in the nation to sign onto the impact effort designed to give Michigan high school dropouts a second chance at completion.  
 
In partnership with Ed2Go, a division of Cengage Learning, Kinexus launched the Smart Horizon’s Career Online High School (COHS) program in 2014 at its Bridge Academy. The hybrid high school diploma has a dual emphasis on academic and vocational education, intended to prepare job seekers for high demand employment opportunities, especially those in Michigan's Great Southwest. Enrollees complete a high school diploma while specializing in one of four vocational areas, including retail, child care, food service, and office management. The abbreviated programming – typically between 12 to 18 months to completion – allows for fast turn-around in training a skilled workforce. Since its launch at the Bridge Academy, a total of 43 individuals have been served through this program.
 
Ron Stefanski, Executive Director of Strategic Alliances for Ed2Go says, “We are so excited that Kinexus was our first partner to offer COHS as part of its Bridge Academy. Their thought leadership set the stage for many other partnerships that made this nationally recognized program a reality for many adults currently gated in their job opportunities because they lack a high school credential.”
 
Allie Knapp, Continuing Education and Career Services Manager for the Kinexus Bridge Academy, has observed first-hand the critical importance of offering more than one degree completion method in meeting the needs of students and employers. She says, “This program is a great way for students who have nearly completed their high school education to finish what they started by earning a diploma. An added benefit of COHS is the vocational opportunities and the focus on a high demand industry field in our area.”
 
Kinexus remains a significant workforce partner in a growing movement to re-engage high school dropouts into the education system. Frankie Nearn, a recent COHS graduate with a Child Care Development Associate Certificate, utilized her diploma and skills learned to be hired as a Teacher’s Assistant at Great Lakes Montessori School in St. Joseph. Frankie says, “My training in Child Care Development helped me to gain more knowledge about children and helped me get this job. I’m so happy to start working with kids.”
 
Questions regarding Smart Horizon’s Career Online High School or the Kinexus Bridge Academy can be directed to Allie Knapp at 269-927-1064 x 1412 or knappa@kinexus.org.
 
Kinexus is a nonprofit organization that invests millions in funding each year in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties through integrated business, workforce, and community development. For more information, go to www.Kinexus.org or follow along on Twitter @KinexusGroup and Facebook at facebook.com/KinexusGroup.

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