Appropriations Requests for : Welcome Home Organization

1. Cosponsoring legislators:

No Cosponsors

Recipient Information

2. Intended legislatively directed spending item recipient:

Welcome Home Organization

3. Physical address of legislatively directed spending item recipient and the intended location of the project or activity:

1203 1st St. Jackson MI 49203 (Flat Iron District-Jackson, Michigan)

4. The recipient's employer identification number:

84-3678407

Funding Details

5. Requested amount of the legislatively directed spending item:

$225,000.00

6. What is the purpose and how does the legislatively directed spending item provide a public benefit that is an appropriate use of taxpayer money?

The purpose of the legislatively directed spending item is to expand the Welcome Home Organization’s comprehensive youth workforce development programs, which provide young people ages 13–21 with structured pathways into high‐demand, community‐serving careers. This investment supports hands-on training in Urban Farming, Youth Development certifications, and Early Childhood Education (ECE), ensuring that youth particularly those from under-served backgrounds gain access to meaningful career preparation, paid learning opportunities, and industry‐recognized credentials. By strengthening these pathways, the funding helps young people build the skills, confidence, and experience needed to enter the workforce with stability and purpose. This spending item provides a clear public benefit by addressing critical workforce shortages in fields that directly impact community well‐being. Early Childhood Education, for example, faces a statewide shortage of qualified teachers, assistant teachers, and special needs educators. By partnering with the Jackson Public Schools Career Center, the Welcome Home Organization creates a direct pipeline for youth ages 17–21 to enter ECE careers, helping to stabilize childcare availability, support working families, and strengthen early learning environments. Similarly, training in Urban Agriculture equips youth with skills that support local food systems, sustainability efforts, and community health. The funding also benefits the public by reducing barriers to employment for young people who may otherwise lack access to training, mentorship, or career exposure. Workforce development at an early age increases graduation rates, reduces youth unemployment, and promotes long‐term economic mobility. By offering certifications, apprenticeships, and real‐world experience, the program prepares youth to contribute to the local economy in meaningful ways while reducing the likelihood of future reliance on public assistance. Finally, this investment is an appropriate and responsible use of taxpayer dollars because it strengthens essential community services while building a skilled, homegrown workforce. Every dollar supports programs that improve educational outcomes, expand childcare capacity, enhance food security, and prepare young people for careers that directly benefit the public. The legislatively directed spending item not only addresses immediate workforce needs but also creates long‐term economic and social value for the entire region.

7. Has the legislatively directed spending item previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years?

✓ Yes: Federal Funding

✓ Yes: State Funding

✓ Yes: Local Funding

Amount received: $889,000.00

8. Estimated time frame for completion of the legislatively directed spending item project:

10/1/26-9/30/27

Additional Information For Nonprofit Corporations

9. Is the recipient a nonprofit corporation?

Yes

4. Officers and active members on the board of directors:

Yolanda Thomas Aaron Taylor Daniel Phipps Chris Butler Cressie Vargo Jason Overmyer Vittoria Jimerson Candace Graham Josh Elkins Parker DeKubber Krishaun Harris-Johnson

Certification By Sponsoring Legislator

• "I certify that my immediate family members, legislative staff members, and I have no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the requested legislatively directed spending item."
• "I certify that the intended recipient of this legislatively directed spending item is not a for-profit entity."
• "I certify that the information in this form is true to the best of my knowledge."

Senator Sue Shink