News Release: JAG-K Students at Correctional Facility Find Inspiration, Graduate High School
In July of 2023, a new resident at the Kansas Juvenile Corrections Complex (KJCC) in Topeka said he didn’t care if he ever graduated high school. He had essentially no high school record and saw no point in trying to change that.
At the Lawrence Gardner High School at KJCC, the young man came in contact for the first time with the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG-K) program.
“He had only one high school credit to his name. His outlook on life and education was bleak,” said Jordan Godinet, Career Specialist at KJCC. “He simply shrugged and responded ‘I don’t really care. I haven’t been to school since my freshman year.’
“At that moment, I made a promise to him: ‘Before you leave here, you’ll be a graduate.’ He laughed. But I knew that with the right support, something could change.”
With a population of about 140 residents, KJCC is the state’s only secure facility for young people adjudicated by Kansas courts as juvenile offenders.
The JAG-K program located within KJCC brings the evidence-based curriculum and emphasis on career exploration to justice-involved youth, most of whom came with spotty academic records. Gov. Laura Kelly, who sits on the national board of JAG, believed the program could work in a correctional setting and helped forge the partnership between JAG-K and Lawrence Gardner High School, the educational program directed within KJCC by Smoky Hill Education Service Center.
Six students enrolled in the JAG-K program at KJCC received high school diplomas at a ceremony in December. JAG-K President and CEO Chuck Knapp addressed the gathering.
“We control our attitudes, our work ethic, and how we treat others,” Knapp said. “So, I will suggest to you that if you have a positive attitude, you work hard, and you treat others well, you have a great chance for success in this world.”
Click to watch a video of the graduation ceremony at KJCC
JAG-K first began working with residents in early 2022 and has grown gradually over the past two years, helping dozens of young people earn high school diplomas and GEDs.
Once connected with JAG-K, Godinet’s 19-year-old student began to discover a meaningful purpose in education. He explored various career options that sparked his interest. With the support Godinet, and encouragement and guidance from fellow Career Specialists Morgan Godinet (Jordan’s sister) and Parker Wells, the young man commenced the process of obtaining his GED.
“It was evident that he was evolving,” Godinet said. “Slowly but surely, he began working toward his GED. He pushed through obstacles, dedicated himself to his studies, and passed all but one test. While the journey was far from easy, his determination and growth were undeniable.”
On November 20, after months of hard work, the young man earned his GED. He has aspirations to continue his education while in KJCC and upon his release.
“His transformation is a testament to the power of perseverance, the right guidance, and the belief that change is possible,” Godinet said. “What started as a student who didn’t believe in his potential ended with the achievement of a goal many thought was impossible.
“His story is about more than just about a diploma. It’s a reminder that with the right support, anyone can turn their life around. His achievement is not just his own, but a testament to the impact of programs like JAG-K, and the belief that no matter where you start, it’s where you end that matters.”
JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades 6-12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K
Kansas’ 114 JAG-K programs serve approximately 6,200 students in 48 school districts across the state. JAG-K Career Specialists help students graduate and learn career, leadership, and life skills by executing a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model. Last year, JAG-K had 805 high school graduates.
The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 36 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include ADM, AT&T, EagleU, Goldstein Charitable Trust, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, Honeywell, John Deere, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Office of the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, United Way of Kaw Valley, United Way of the Plains, U.S. Bank and Walmart.
To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, or ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook and LinkedIn.