Kent County Boosts Graduation Rates, Adds 700 Yearly Grads

When 250 organizations decide to work together toward one goal, entire communities can change.

KConnect, a Kent County network launched in 2013, just earned recognition as one of 17 communities nationwide making real progress for young people. The nonprofit StriveTogether honored the Michigan coalition for actually changing policies and how resources reach families.

The results tell the story. Nearly 700 additional students now graduate high school on time each year compared to a decade ago. That's 700 more young people with diplomas opening doors to their futures.

The network didn't stop there. Kent County schools now employ 35% more Black educators and 30% more Latino educators than before. More than 400 partners spanning education, housing, justice, and arts worked together to make it happen.

"KConnect and their partners show us what it takes to change systems: strong partnerships, clear alignment and a deep belief in what's possible for young people," said Jennifer Blatz, StriveTogether's president and CEO.

The collaboration created Housing Kent, which now coordinates efforts to keep families stable with secure housing. The network also developed plans to better support young people in the justice system and elevated arts and culture as engines for economic growth.

Salvador López, KConnect's president and CEO, credits the region's willingness to center community voices. Every sector that touches young lives, from schools to businesses to nonprofits, aligned around one belief: every child and family deserves the chance to thrive.

The Ripple Effect

What started as one county's vision is now a blueprint for the nation. When communities stop working in silos and start coordinating resources, they don't just help individual kids. They shift entire systems that have held young people back for generations.

The graduation rate gains alone mean thousands more young adults entering the workforce with credentials over the past decade. The diverse educator pipeline means more students see themselves reflected in their teachers, which research shows improves outcomes for everyone.

KConnect is already launching new initiatives to accelerate progress. The focus remains on bringing different sectors together, improving education and workforce outcomes, and expanding pathways to economic mobility.

Thirteen years of patient, persistent collaboration proves that sustainable change doesn't require massive budgets or government mandates. It requires people and organizations choosing to work creatively together, staying focused on what matters most: giving every young person a real shot at success.