ALPENA — A local service agency in Alpena that services school-age children is one of 42 winners of the 2023 Governor’s Service Award.

In an email on Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office announced that the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency has won the Youth Impact Award, which is given to individuals or organizations that support youth development.

Whitmer said volunteerism is the backbone of Michigan and, without the generosity of volunteers and nonprofit groups, life would be hard for many Michigan residents.

“Michiganders roll up their sleeves to help their communities and always have each other’s backs,” Whitmer said in a statement. “That spirit of service and selflessness defines us and demonstrates the power of getting things done for the people and places you love most. Every year, we come together to honor those extraordinary Michiganders who go above and beyond to serve their community and this year is no different. I look forward to meeting and celebrating all the awardees from across Michigan and hearing their stories.”

NEMCSA will receive its award at a ceremony on Nov. 28 at the Fox Theater in Detroit.

Officials from NEMCSA could not be reached for comment on this story.

NEMCSA has more than 50 years of service in 11 counties in Northeast Michigan. It covers approximately 6,200 rural square miles and averages 31 people per square mile. Its School Success Partnership Program began more than three decades ago in response to community awareness that school failure was a complex, multi-faceted issue linked to chronic poverty and other life challenges, including attendance and youth mental health, according to the news release from Whitmer’s office.

The longevity of the program can be credited to the willingness of partners to collaborate and coordinate services to ensure students and families receive much-needed resources, Whitmer’s office said.

All students in the program are assigned a liaison to bring together a team to resolve barriers and increase the students’ ability to succeed.

Students with additional needs are provided supplementary referrals to community resources.

The program now serves students across nine of the 11 counties NEMCSA services and has a waiting list of schools interested in having the service provided in their schools. The most recent data demonstrated students in the program had a 79% overall academic improvement, 77% improved reading skills, 75% improved math skills, and a 99% reduction in absenteeism.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.