Photo courtesy of West Michigan Works!
A partnership with West Michigan Works! has helped 37 businesses and organizations meet their workforce needs this summer while giving young people hands-on experience across a variety of jobs and work environments.
For the second consecutive year, John Ball Zoo participated in the West Michigan Works! Ascend Summer Youth 2026 Career Readiness Program, welcoming youth participants to its workforce during the zoo’s busiest season. Youth participants provided additional support across multiple departments while building workplace skills, exploring career interests and gaining experience in a professional environment.
The Ascend Summer Youth Career Readiness Program connects young people ages 16 to 24 with paid work experience while helping employers develop emerging talent. This summer, participants worked 20 hours per week for seven weeks, earning $15 per hour while gaining hands-on experience with employers matched to their skills and interests. A total of 70 young people across West Michigan gained work experience.
In addition to their work experience, participants completed career-readiness training focused on career exploration, workplace problem-solving and soft skills. West Michigan Works! Business Solutions staff and Youth Career Coaches supported employers and participants throughout the program, coordinating placements and preparing young people to enter the workplace.
“Summer is our peak time of year and having youth participants join our team provides the extra helping hands we need across multiple departments,” said Lisa Zimmerman, Human Resources Manager of Talent and Engagement, John Ball Zoo. “Their flexibility and willingness to learn allow us to better serve our guests while giving young people meaningful, hands-on work experience. We continue to see the value it brings to both our organization, the participants and our guests.”
Program participants supported Zoo Camps by helping supervise and engage campers, working alongside the grounds team to keep the zoo clean and welcoming, greeting guests in admissions, and helping organize and maintain retail shops and carts.
Rather than assigning participants to a single role, John Ball Zoo encouraged them to experience different departments. The approach allowed youth to explore their interests, develop new skills, learn about different career paths and contribute where additional support was needed.
“Early work experiences shape how young people see themselves and the opportunities available to them,” said Chad Patton, director of development and innovation, West Michigan Works! “The Ascend Youth Summer Program gives participants the chance to build confidence, develop workplace skills and explore potential career paths while giving employers an opportunity to invest in their future workforce. When employers like John Ball Zoo create meaningful experiences for young people, the impact extends well beyond a summer job.”
One participant, Triniti, became a valued member of the Zoo Camps team, supporting staff and campers throughout the summer.
“Triniti was an absolute joy to have on our team,” Zimmerman said. “She was dependable, attentive and wonderful with the children. Her positive attitude, willingness to learn and readiness to help wherever needed made a lasting impression on both our staff and campers. She embodied exactly what makes this program successful.”
John Ball Zoo also credited the preparation participants received before beginning their summer employment with helping them transition into the workplace.
“We believe the youth’s confidence and readiness were a direct result of the coaching, guidance and workplace preparation they received before stepping onsite,” Zimmerman said. “That preparation allowed participants to integrate quickly into our team and make meaningful contributions from the beginning.”
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