Today marks a significant collaboration as achi introduces GapQuest, a groundbreaking program aimed at removing barriers for students and guiding recent high school graduates on transformative pathways toward a sustainable life.
The founders, Hayley Kempton Studer (achi) and Melanie Kempton (GapQuest), are sisters who discovered a unique connection between their professional experiences.
“Hayley and I took different paths after college: she in the healthcare/finance realm, and me in the education/family law world,” shared Kempton, Executive Director, GapQuest. “We both spent decades learning the challenges these institutions face and eventually migrated separately into the world of entrepreneurship. We both see the need for innovative solutions to institutional problems and are excited to be bringing our respective diverse backgrounds together at achi. We both believe in a human-centered approach to transforming lives and we're looking forward to joining forces to meet the challenges we are both passionate about.”
Kempton’s passion for education stems from a long career in public education as well as her experience homeschooling and launching her own sons into adulthood. She recognizes the need for more real-world, hands-on, immersive practice with the skills needed to be successful in work, home, and community life. GapQuest seeks to provide an innovative space between high school and adulthood that builds bridges to independence, competence, and connection.
GapQuest is a new “gap year program” located in Northwest Ohio that allows graduates, ages 18-20, the chance to live, work, learn, and play together while gaining valuable tools to navigate adulthood. The pilot year group will launch in the fall of 2024.
“As Melanie and I began discussing GapQuest, we realized the strong alignment on our goals and methods,” said Studer, founder and CEO of achi. “Understanding someone’s story, identifying barriers, and creating innovative holistic pathways for success is at the core of what we both do. Being able to bring achi’s connection to local resources to support the GapQuest students’ growth is a natural fit.”
One key objective of the collaborative program is to introduce recent high school graduates to "opportunity occupations," jobs that offer above-median wages and are accessible without a traditional 4-year degree. GapQuest participants will be immersed in a variety of entry-level career paths in the Toledo area, ranked #1 in the nation for opportunity occupations by the Federal Reserve. The program will expose participants to non-traditional routes to in-demand careers, including credentials, certificate programs, and industry certification pathways, often available at no cost to learners.
According to Studer, “Being able to offer GapQuest through achi allows us to expand our services and branch into a program that addresses education, social connection, and workforce development – three social drivers that impact the overall well-being of a community.” This strategic partnership marks a significant step forward in the quest for innovative solutions to societal challenges, as achi and GapQuest pave the way for a brighter, healthier future.
About achi
achi(pronounced uh-kai) proactively engages people and resources to advance cost-effective, quality human care for all individuals and communities. Through innovative partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and creative solutions, we equip organizations across multiple industries to educate the people they serve and connect them with resources to improve their lives from the ground up. By partnering with health systems, educational institutions, and corporations, achi empowers lasting transformation in individual lives— resulting in an overall healthier population and data to transform our healthcare payment models. To learn more about achi and its mission, visit www.achisolutions.com.
About GapQuest
GapQuest is a holistic, residential "Gap Year Experience" designed for recent high school graduates, ages 18-20, located in Northwest Ohio. The program exists to offer young adults an alternative navigational tool to create a roadmap for success. The GapQuest experience is led by our unique "GPS" system – Guidance, Professional Development, and Social Networking. Participants gain valuable, paid work experience while engaging in real-life budgeting and financial management as well as practical lessons in sharing household duties with roommates, growing friendships, building a professional network, and exploring all that Northwest Ohio has to offer young professionals. To learn more, visit https://gapquest.org/.