2025 Annual Report
The West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT) provides a culture of opportunity for people to make social and economic progress in their lives and community. We fulfill our mission through visual arts and tech engagement, workforce development, and social enterprise.
Workforce Development
Building income security with families and young adults through post-secondary exploration, career training, and leadership development.
Adult Career Training Program
Step Year at WMCAT
Securing the Future
Zepharah Witherspoon embodies WMCAT’s multi-generational impact — integrating cybersecurity into her children’s homeschool curriculum and showing them firsthand that they can do the same. As her skills grew, so did her vision. Witnessing family members fall victim to scams, she began asking how she could protect not just her household, but her broader community.
Through WMCAT’s Cybersecurity Pathway, Zepharah transformed that concern into in-demand skills and real impact. Now a proud alum, she’s supporting clients, strengthening her community, and building a safer digital world for the next generation.
2024–2025 Adult Career Training Program
PATHWAYS: CYBERSECURITY AND PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
35
Students Graduated
Lasting Impact
Average Starting Hourly Wage
$28.00
Cybersecurity*
$18.58
Pharmacy Technician
*Wages include 2024 and 2025 graduates (two cohorts)
Clarity Through Curiosity
After high school, Jaden Jones knew the traditional path wasn’t for him. Online college left him feeling disconnected and uncertain about his next steps — until he found WMCAT’s Step Year program, where curiosity is valued and “I don’t know” is a good place to start.
Through site visits and a supportive cohort of peers on similar journeys, Jaden found space to discover himself. “Being with them takes the pressure away from what’s going on outside.”
Now, inspired by a visit to the Grand Rapids Fire Department, he’s considering a career in firefighting — stepping boldly into a future he’s excited to own.
2024-2025 Step Year at WMCAT
Fall + Spring Cohorts
WMCAT accepts me for who I am
I can connect my personal interests and strengths to career options
The Step Year Experience
12
Education + Industry Visits per Cohort
10-14
Guest Speakers per Cohort
Arts + Tech
Making space for teens to elevate their voices and build creative confidence through visual arts and technology engagement.
Teen Arts + Tech Program
Daytime Studios
Stitched with Ambition
Charlotte Moxon joined WMCAT’s Teen Arts + Tech Fashion Design studio her freshman year with zero experience — she had never touched a sewing machine. Over four years, she gained creative confidence, explored sustainable techniques, and discovered that fashion was her future.
Her culminating project said it all: for the Spring 2025 Fashion Show, she designed a gown made from water-resistant materials that doubled as a raincoat. “My project went so well, and I loved it so much.”
Today, Charlotte is studying Fashion Design at the world-renowned Pratt Institute in New York City, moving confidently toward a career in costume design.
2024-2025 Teen Arts + Tech Program
226
Students
Students Speak Out
WMCAT is a caring and nurturing environment
After attending WMCAT, I feel confident in expressing myself artistically
WMCAT helped me learn skills that I can use in the future
I would recommend the Teen Arts + Tech Program to another student
How We Do It
Our Financial Position + Stewardship of Resources
(Operations, Including Social Enterprise)
FY25 FISCAL ASSETS AVAILABLE TO MEET GENERAL EXPENDITURES OF THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:
$2,516,975
Source: Fiscal Year 2025 Audit by Hungerford Nichols CPAs + Advisors, Internal Accounting Records