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Open Avenues is an LGBTQIA Safe Organization
Serving Students High School and College
Imagine what is next - try stuff - build your community
Welcome to Open Avenues
My mission as a Career and Life Design Coach is to firstly, develop a relationship with the student. Overtime, I aim to provide a safe and trusting environment where students feel empowered and inspired to dream big, be daring and try new things. Helping students find and follow their curiosity and then believing in them provides reinforcement that will encourage them to believe in themselves.
I believe that everyone has the potential to create a life that feels great and exercises an individuals unique talents and skills.
I bring students to the community to have experiences and conversations. I help students get in touch with their interests and values and help them design a pathway to find work, lifestyle, hobbies and volunteer opportunities to help them live a full life.
I am a natural networker and am constantly building my network of business connections so that I can better link people to businesses and vice versa.
I am a convener of resources:
Throughout the years, I have come to learn about the multitude of our community resources that help people remove barriers to success. Some of the resources include: alternative school options, college and certification programs, funding resources for students, mental and physical health agencies, housing programs parenting resources, substance use and rehabilitation support, employment/workforce support, and disabilities resources.
I like to bring people together to maximize the potential of the human resource world.
Who Does Open Avenues Serve?
Students - High School and College
I bring students to the community to have experiences and conversations. I help students get in touch with their interests and values and help them design a pathway to find work, lifestyle, hobbies and volunteer opportunities to help them live a full life.
Graduates
Together with my clients, I bring a wide range of continuing education options to the table; from trade school options - to microcredential and certification opportunities - to two year college programs and four year programs and college degrees. In addition I help people understand the array of funding sources that may be available to cover continuing education expenses. I collaborate with colleges and continuing education organizations to help build connections with future students.
Parents
I offer support to your child as they go through the transition of creating the next phase of their life. I can help support you and your family by sharing known community resources that can contribute to your student's success.
Businesses
Building the talent pool in our community helps businesses and students.
I am a natural networker continuing to build relationships with businesses in the five county region. With my years of experience in the workforce development world and in the world of higher education, I help inform businesses about the community funding opportunities available to help strengthen their talent pool and aim to bring emerging talent to them.
I arrange experiences for student in their field of interest, providing opportunities for informational interviews, workplace tours, job shadowing and internships/apprenticeships.
School Teachers/Administrators
I serve students in Mancelona and Manton HIgh School. My aim is to collaborate with teachers, counselors, support staff and outside community resources and businesses so that we can deliver a broad spectrum of support for students.
Community
I coordinate and refer students to various agencies in the greater Grand Traverse Region. From linking with Michigan Rehabilitation Services for employment support for those with disabilities, to referring individuals to Michigan Works to receive employment, migrant, offender success, alternative high school services, etc. From teenage pregnancy to substance use disorder, to housing issues, to educational opportunities, I hope to help people get the resources they need.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
I contract with Michigan Rehabilitation Services to provide job exploration, vocational education, job readiness, job placement services and job coaching. I also provide tutoring services in the Orton-Gillingham method.
LGBTQIA Community
I support and provide a safe and nonjudgemental space for all individuals to thrive.
My Approach
- My journey has been dedicated to education and therapeutic healing.
- Over the past decade, I have shifted my focus to supporting individuals in their pursuit of creating meaningful work and of attaining a satisfying life.
- My background brings a broad perspective to my work. As a former special education teacher, workforce development career counselor, college success coach, life and student coach, an alternative healing practitioner in traditional, energy and somatic bodywork, and as a mother, I use a lifetime of experience to help be present to where people are and where they want to go.
- People often call me a good, open hearted listener, a "linker" of people, a creator and a collaborator. Through this experience, I have gained valuable insights into what employers are seeking and how to assist people in uncovering their true desires. I help bring people and community together with the intention of opening up new worlds for all involved.
- I work collaboratively with my clients to help them identify their strengths, overcome limiting beliefs, and develop practical strategies for achieving their goals. My coaching approach is one of self-discovery. I believe that people have the answers living inside of them. I help people get in touch with their desires and provide a method that helps build a pathway forward toward a life that is satisfying and enjoyable.
- I provide a supportive, non-judgmental space for exploration.
- At Open Avenues, the creation of connections for employment seekers, employers, educational institutions and community support programs come together.
Testimonials
Lori - Mancelona High School - Special Education Teacher
Collaborating with Maureen at Mancelona High School has been very beneficial for our juniors and seniors. Both teachers and students valued her communicaiton skills, whether in face-to-face intereatcions or trhrough emails. Her unwavering attendandance and priority on our students' needs, along with her talent for organizing visits and inviting guest speakers, aas greatly influenced our students' post-secondary visions.
Jamie - Manton High School - Special Education Teacher
Personally, I do not think that they could have chosen someone who was more caring to work with our kidos. Maureen was invested and it showed. Professionally, she worked with our kidods to help them acquire skills needed to be successful. She put much consideration into finding locations for students to job shadow in areas that fit their interest. She was always pleasant to work with and the students really enjoyed working with her.
Nelson - High School Senior
Maureen was so nice and helpful when it came to helping me find what I was thinking about doing after high school. At the time I had no idea what I wanted to do. Even talking with her, it took some time and some really exciting field trips to which she eventually helped me point down the right path. Maureen was someone I found easy to talk to and she was understanding when it came to my personal life and my education.
Nevaeh - High School Junior
Maureen really helped me think about jobs. We went off campus and visited places that could eventually be a good job for me. It was fun and entertaining and I learned some new stuff.
Noyes - High School Senior
Maureen really helped me with job shadowing opportunities that could turn into real jobs in the future. I enjoyed working with her.
Aiden - High School Senior
I really did appreciate the time that Maureen took throughout the year to talk to me about what I wanted to do in life and just be able to see what is out there by going on trips to see what they are doing.
Zach - High School Senior
Maureen made my life better by showing that no matter what disability you have, work is always there to find you.
To learn more, please contact me
Open Avenues - Traverse City
maureenavoss@gmail.com
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