Pictured (left to right) William Stanek, Chairperson, Michigan Works! Association; James Pitcher, 2008 Alumnus; State Representative Geoff Hansen; State Senator Gerald Van Woerkom; State Representative Darwin Booher; and Paul Griffith, Executive Director, Michigan Works! West Central James Pitcher Honored at Michigan Works! Alumni Celebration The Michigan Works! Association recently honored James Pitcher of Fremont for obtaining gainful employment through a Michigan Works! Agency. The 2008 Alumni Celebration was held on Wednesday, January 30 at the Michigan State Capitol. Pitcher was among the 25 graduates of the Michigan Works! system who were presented with Outstanding Alumni of The Year awards by legislators Senator Gerald Van Woerkom, Representative Goeff Hansen and Representative Darwin Booher. Pitcher came to Michigan Works! West Central after losing the job he held for 35 years. His company relocated their production to China. Facing a major career change at age 55 was not easy, and job-hunting was difficult. Michigan Works! officials noted that Pitcher had virtually no computer knowledge in a technology-based society. Despite these barriers, Pitcher made the difficult decision to go back to school. He began the process at Michigan Works! West Central where he participated in a series of assessments, obtained resume assistance, and received guidance in job development. He began in a veterinary technician program, but Pitcher changed his degree to human services, as he discovered that he had a passion for helping people. Pitcher is now employed as the transportation coordinator for Foundation for Behavioral Resources, a contractor of Michigan Works! West Central. "I love my new career," Pitcher said. "I get rewards from seeing our customers succeed in changing their lives, just as it has changed mine." Michigan Works! Association is recognized nationally as the largest and most progressive workforce development association in the country. Established in 1987, Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs and serves employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's workforce development system. This 40,000 sq. ft. building provides workforce development related services from eleven (11) different partner agencies at one location. Be sure to check out the extensive resources available from the Internet at our ten (10) T1 equipped computer stations.