Northwest Michigan Works! alumnus of year named

Going from an expulsion from school to a good job at a good local company? Sounds unlikely, but it's a true story based on hard work and the support of the right people.

It's the story of Evan Mattison, a young man who was recently named the Northwest Michigan Works! alumnus of the year.

He's been invited to attend the statewide 2011 Michigan Works! Association Alumni Celebration in January in Lansing as part of the honor.

How he got there is inspirational to many young people struggling with their future. Mattison first visited Michigan Works! in Manistee about five years ago. He had been struggling at school and with changes in his family, including the death of his father. He was expelled from high school after acting out.

Michigan Works! Youth Advisor Cheryl Wolfram began working with Mattison on a new path for his future, starting with enrollment at the Beaver Island Lighthouse Alternative School. That was followed by GED preparation at the Michigan Works! Adult Ed Learning Lab in Manistee, and with some hard work, Mattison received his GED in 2008.

While working on his GED, he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service in Manistee to participate in a summer work experience program in 2007, and returned to the program as a crew leader for summer workers the following year.

That was followed up by a temporary Forest Service job after the summer. Mattison kept building on his experience by returning to Michigan Works! in 2009 for the Summer Earn and Learn Program, starting as a crew leader and then being promoted to crew supervisor.

The Earn and Learn program proved to be his final stepping stone into the job world; after completion, Mattison was hired at Great Lakes Castings in Ludington and has been working there full-time since June of 2010.

"He's a model employee," says Mike Helso, human resources director for Great Lakes Castings. "He's self-motivated, all the things you look for in a good employee."

And Mattison thanks Michigan Works! for the opportunities it's given him over the years.

"Everything I've dealt with at Michigan Works! has been great," said Mattison. "It was the best experience I've had."

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Evan Mattison, Northwest Michigan Works!