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Local nonprofit’s 'Draft Day' program expands partnership with District 11 to place students in summer jobs and apprenticeships
Summary
Jumpstart Foundation told the District 11 board April 2 that its industry-specific 'Draft Day' events have led to dozens of student interviews and multiple summer job placements; district leaders said they will continue to partner to scale the work.
A local nonprofit that organizes industry‑specific “Draft Day” events told the District 11 board April 2 about its pilot programs placing students in interviews and short‑term employment, and the district signaled continued partnership.
Renee, founder of Jumpstart Foundation, described the program’s structure: pre‑game training on interview skills and professionalism, an interview rotation where students meet employers, and a “post‑game” reflection where students and employers list top picks and the nonprofit matches placements. She said pilots placed roughly 12 of 30 students at an initial event and expected to place about 15 of 46 students in a hospitality/tourism draft day. The district estimates varied numbers but said students sometimes completed multiple interviews in a single event.
Board members asked logistical questions—whether employers accept students’ school schedules, who pays transportation costs and how the nonprofit helps students who find an industry placement is not the right fit. Jumpstart’s founder said employers are told the candidates are juniors or seniors and that employers are generally willing to work around school schedules; the foundation provides ongoing coaching and mediation when a placement fails to meet a student’s needs. For students whose first placement doesn’t fit, the nonprofit works with employers to reassign students and provides mentoring so the experience isn’t framed as failure.
Superintendent Gahl and board members praised the model and encouraged community members and volunteers to support future draft days. The district said it will expand communications to ensure students across alternative and traditional high schools learn about opportunities and that staff will coordinate with the nonprofit to host additional industry‑focused events.
Board members asked the nonprofit to supply contact information and volunteer sign‑up details; the foundation said interested volunteers can complete a form on its website and that some events are funded by foundation partners and employers. The board did not take formal action but indicated support for continuing and expanding the partnership.
