A.G. Gancarski
4th Circuit State Attorney Elect Melissa Nelson is slated to deliver a keynote graduation address on Thursday morning in Jacksonville.
Nelson will speak at the Year Up Jacksonville Class 3 graduation ceremony, an event that commences at 11 a.m. at Florida State College – Jacksonville’s downtown campus’ “Downtown Auditorium.”
For Nelson, who takes office in a matter of weeks, Year Up may be a tool in her criminal justice reform toolbox.
“Year Up has had a proven impact on transforming its students’ lives, helping them to become economic assets and role models in their communities,” said Nelson. “I look forward to collaborating with Year Up to explore how the program can serve as an alternative pathway to personal and professional success and growth for non-violent offenders.”
Year Up Jacksonville, a non-profit job training program launches last January, combines skills training and internships.
Its results are incontrovertible. 94 percent of graduates are either in college or employed, with an average starting salary exceeding $17 per hour.
