Program Executive Summary

Scope of the Project

Realizing that youth living in the Enterprise Communities face barriers to schooling and jobs more varied and more complex than existed even a generation ago, the United States Department of Labor established Youth Opportunity grants through the Workforce Investment Act. Grantees have implemented a broadly shared vision that guarantees exposure, enhanced education, skills development, employment and post-secondary opportunities, strong linkages, and support services that assure these youths’ success. This is a clear vision and mission that extends beyond the legislated scope of work and serves to address the needs of youth by implementing a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated youth development services strategy. The goal of the program is to provide support youth living in designated Enterprise Communities in their efforts to stay in school and graduate or earn a GED certificate, learn job skills, attend college or trade school, and achieve long-term employment. A major emphasis is on re-engaging youth who are out of school into academic and employment-related activities.

Resources are concentrated to create a positive, community-wide impact on employment rates, high school completion rates and college enrollment rates. Core principles underlying an effective youth strategy include the provision of comprehensive services, participation of caring adults, a commitment to excellence, long-term follow up, and focus on instilling in youth a sense of personal responsibility and accountability for their actions. Critical to the initiative is the establishment of one or more centers in the target area, a sufficient core staff of highly-qualified youth development specialists, and a large and varied menu of activities and services for youth to gain, retain and build on educational and employment opportunities.

Grouping of Sites

A total of 36 Youth Opportunity Grant sites in 27 states have been established. This number includes twenty-four urban grantees, six rural grantees and six Native American grantees for a total of 36 sites nationwide.

Target Audience

Youth between the ages of 14 and 21, who reside in Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities and high-poverty areas are eligible to participate in the program. Special efforts are made to attract a large number of out-of-school youth who need to complete high-school requirements, acquire job readiness skills, receive occupational skills training, and gain employment.

Collaborative Partnerships

The Youth Opportunity grants are viewed as part of a larger movement, a national partnership with public and private sectors to invest in young people. Collaborations have been formed between local governments, grass roots businesses, corporations, clergy, educators, government officials and public and non-profit agencies dedicated to helping local youth develop into productive and contributing members of the community.

Methodology

Focused on creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environment for disadvantaged youth that fosters significant achievement, the grantee sites strive to integrate a strong community services base with a strong didactic base. The primary goal is to use multiple approaches and comprehensive, coordinated strategies to help students acquire the necessary skills to successfully transition into post-secondary education and training, adulthood and careers. Unique methodology practices include comprehensive assessment, focus on short and long-term objectives, data-driven gap analysis, immediate connection to program activities, community service requirements, and intensive follow-up.