I.M.A.G.E. Makers Academy

Youth economic advancement

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

My understanding of the issue I'm seeking to address through I.M.A.G.E. Makers Academy centers on the need to empower young individuals by providing them with essential life skills, mentorship, and confidence-building opportunities. I recognize that many young people face barriers due to their background or circumstances, which can limit their ability to realize their full potential. The issue at hand is the lack of accessible and transformative educational programs that can equip these young individuals with the knowledge, skills, and self-assurance they need to shape their futures positively.
My vision aims to bridge this gap by offering an innovative approach that unlocks the potential within each participant. By doing so, I hope to enable them to achieve their dreams, contribute meaningfully to society, and become influential leaders and change-makers within their communities. The core issue is ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to access high-quality training.

I.M.A.G.E. stands for Innovative, Marketplace, Advancement, Generation, and Entrepreneur. We want to help high school and transitional aged youth to become INNOVATIVE in creating the design of their lives after transitioning through junior high, high school, and college. We want to build a bridge between those currently working in the MARKETPLACE with our scholars for the purpose of mentorship and coaching. We want to help scholars with ADVANCEMENT through the next level of education or job training that will help with being successful. It is our desire to impact this GENERATION of scholars with the principles that will help them to move forward in life after foster care. And lastly, provide ENTREPRENEURIAL opportunities for those that are visionaries, developers, creators, and curators of newness. Our program will be divided into three parts: DISCOVERY (Phase I)
Discovering your natural strengths and personality traits
Communication Principles
Behavioral and Leadership Styles
Personal Mission
Journaling and Mentoring DEVELOPMENT (Phase II)
Core Values
Mentor Relationship Building
Career identification Educational Plan
Case Studies
Breakthrough Plan Development DETERMINATION (Phase III)
Education Resources Internship Opportunities Breakthrough Presentation

Empowered Youth
1. Increased Self-Esteem and Confidence: Young people across the county will exhibit higher levels of self-esteem and confidence, enabling them to pursue their goals with determination and resilience.
2. Enhanced Life Skills: Youth will possess essential life skills, such as effective communication, problem-solving, and leadership, which will prepare them for personal and professional success. Educational and Career Advancement
3. Higher Educational Attainment: There will be an increase in graduation rates and higher education enrollment as more young people feel prepared and motivated to pursue further education.
4. Career Readiness: Participants will enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to secure meaningful employment, leading to lower youth unemployment rates.

Early Stage Program
Defining Success
Participant Development:
Increased self-esteem and confidence among participants.
Improved academic performance & higher graduation rates.
Career Readiness:
Higher rates of employment or enrollment in higher education among graduates.
Successful placement in internships.
Measuring Success
Quantitative Metrics:
Enrollment and Retention Rates: Track the number of participants who enroll and complete the program.
Academic Performance: Monitor improvements in grades, graduation rates, and standardized test scores.
Employment and Education Outcomes: Measure the percentage of graduates who secure jobs, internships, or continue their education.
Skill Assessments: Use pre/post assessments to evaluate improvements in life skills and career readiness.
Qualitative Metrics:
Participant Feedback: Conduct surveys and interviews of participants.
Success Stories: Collect and share individual success stories that highlight personal growth and achievements.