NEWS
Apollo Opportunity Foundation Awards $1 Million Grant to iJAG to Support Iowa’s Future Workforce
DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 3, 2025) — Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) is proud to announce that it will receive $1 million in grant funding over the next two years from the Apollo Opportunity Foundation. iJAG’s mission is to empower youth with the skills and support they need to succeed in education, employment, and life. Thanks to the Apollo Opportunity Foundation’s transformative funding commitment, iJAG will be able to strengthen its programs across the state and help more than 11,000 students overcome barriers to a better future.
State Career Development Conference Creates Lifelong Impact for Students
The State Career Development Conference (CDC) is an event that Lexi Vasquez and nearly 600 other 11th and 12th-grade iJAG students look forward to every year. Vasquez, one of four State Career Association (SCA) student officers for 2024-2025, reflects on key experiences from GMG High School iJAG that prepared her to capture a first-place finish in the Prepared Speaking competition. Lexi, along with 24 other Iowa students, earned a spot to compete at the National CDC at the end of April in Indianapolis.
From Classroom to Career: How iJAG Helped One Student Land a Job at John Deere
Lindsay, a 2021 Dubuque Hempstead graduate, transformed her future thanks to iJAG—landing a job at John Deere, buying her first home, and building a life she’s proud of. Discover how one class taught her the life skills and provided her with the connections that made it all possible.
After the Storm: South Hardin iJAG Students Shine in Community Service Effort
When storms rolled through the South Hardin community, they left behind more than just fallen branches and scattered debris—they left an opportunity for kindness, service and teamwork. Last month, the South Hardin iJAG students recently stepped up to assist those in need, proving that small actions can make a big difference.
iJAG Students Lead Fundraiser for Stead Family Children’s Hospital
The iJAG students at Ottumwa High School have once again demonstrated their leadership and commitment to making a difference in their community. Through hard work, dedication, and fundraising, the students raised a total of $5,907 for the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, a cause close to their hearts.
Aralyn’s Journey to Confidence and Advocacy
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, approximately 90 iJAG students visited the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, where they met with 36 different legislators to share the value iJAG brings to all student participants, as well as their schools, community, and the entire state.
Aralyn, a junior from Muscatine and a State Career Association Officer-elect, is just one of the students who was able to display the leadership and soft skills she has gained in the classroom by sharing her story with state and local leaders.