Jason has worked with PPL's Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) initiative for over two years, including as an Advancement Board staff member and part-time front desk support. LEAP is a PPL initiative to provide education and career support for young people through training opportunities, apprenticeships and community partnerships. Through his involvement with LEAP, Jason has helped connect young people with individualized support while discovering his own strengths and new possibilities.
“When I first walked in these doors, I was looking for some guidance,” Jason says. “Thank goodness I took the opportunity. It’s brought me to a lot of good places and I’m really proud of my growth.”
Jason has grown into a leader through his time with LEAP, building confidence and skills in communication, professionalism and public speaking. That growth has taken Jason from improving his day-to-day speech skills to testifying at the Minnesota State Capitol on behalf of PPL's recent appropriation bill.
“I’m getting comfortable with getting out of my own comfort zone,” Jason says with a laugh.
Today, Jason is leading LEAP's virtual reality project, helping to implement career readiness curriculum to the VR platform across 22 LEAP sites. He is also a mentor to a LEAP student who is new to the Twin Cities, spending time with him at the gym and helping him build relationships in the community.
Jason has connected his own family and friends to PPL resources and opportunities, crediting PPL with helping him become more independent and self-reliant and describing the community he has developed at PPL as a second family. Jason is grateful for his journey and continues to give himself the patience and room needed to become the person he wants to be.
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