MMI presents annual awards to organizations, community leaders
During the month of December, Mid-michigan Industries (MMI) held their annual Night of Celebration at their Mt. Pleasant location.
MMI is a not-for-profit organization committed to helping people make connections that lead them to meaningful employment, advanced skill enhancement, and greater independence.
This event is held annually to honor some outstanding achievements and partnerships from the previous year. MMI awards program participants as well as business and community partners.
Awardees were also presented with a certificate of Special Recognition from the Michigan Legislature that Judy Emmons delivered on behalf of Senator Rick Outmans office.
One of the awards that was presented during the event was the Mccollum/mcfarlane Award, which was developed in 1994 by the MMI Board of Directors to honor a person from each of MMI’S service areas. Each year recipients are nominated by a council of their peers and presented to the MMI CEO for a final award decision.
The winners of the Mccollum/ Mcfarlane Award includes Gary Weaver for the Clare branch, Leon Yacks for the Isabella branch, and Matthew Kelley of the southern operation for the overall winner.
Kelley takes part in both Community Connections Services and Employment Connection Services
at MMI.
He has shown consistency in reaching his goals and works diligently to achieve personal success.
Another award MMI presented during the event was the Community Partner of the Year award, which MSU Extension received.
MSU Extension of both Clare and Isabella counties has collaborated with both the Community Connections Team and the Employment Connections teams at MMI which has helped to expand their reach and impact.
They have also notably partnered with the Employment Connections to provide Financial Literacy Training to 30% of participants to date and they are dedicated to creating opportunity and inclusion.
Joel Sneed of the Montcalm Care Network was the recipient of the Above and Beyond Award.
Sneed is a Case Manager from Montcalm Care Network.
He has worked closely with the team at MMI’S southern operations branch over the years to ensure that the highest quality services are provided.
The winners of the Business Partner of the Year award went to the City of Clare and Soaring Eagle Waterpark & Hotel.
Soaring Eagle Waterpark & Hotel has hired different MMI participants, and hosted Summer Work Experiences and an Mipower program which has helped students gain different skills and work experience.
MMI has been a part of the Clare Community for 35 years and has worked with cities on many projects.
The City of Clare Parks and Recreation have been valuable partners with the Youth program and have also hosted Summer Work Experience for a couple years.
For more information, visit mmionline.com.