GRAND RAPIDS, MI — An expanded summer job training program is helping local youth develop soft skills that will follow them in any career path.

Jacey Darrow joined this year’s Ascend Youth Summer Work Experience (WEX) program hoping to build confidence and gain real-world experience. Six weeks later, she landed a job with SoZo Coffee Roasting.

Darrow was one of 92 youth placed with 40 local employers throughout West Michigan as part of this summer’s Ascend program, which ran from June 23-Aug. 1.

The WEX program is administered by West Michigan Works!, a workforce development agency serving Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

The program provides youth ages 16–24 with job training, soft skills development and career exploration – all while earning a payc

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