A year ago, Congress passed and the President signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), providing much-needed money to help communities across the country, including investments in programs that serve disconnected youth - ages 16-24, out of school, and out of work.
To contend with our increasingly competitive global economy, our nation needs a highly-skilled workforce. This will not be possible if current realities aren't addressed. An estimated one third of high school students will not graduate. Minorities and those living in high-poverty areas are even less likely to complete their high school education.
We all know that putting people back to work will help the economy. What if, in the process, you could make your community a better place? A job that revitalizes your neighborhood could also provide on-the-job training for a youth or young adult who would otherwise struggle to find a job.
Youth in high poverty communities, those with disabilities and black teens – whose “official” unemployment rate rose nearly eight points this month to 49.4 percent – have been particularly hard hit. Unless their needs are addressed through recovery or other jobs legislation, youth and young adults – especially those with limited education and job skills – will be left behind when the economy recovers and jobs become available.
CFY actively submits comments, recommendations, and testimony to the Administration and Congress to improve outcomes for youth and increase investments in communities to support reconnecting youth. Read our comments to United States Department of Education: Notice of Policy Priorities for Investing in Innovation Fund.
The Campaign for Youth focuses attention on the needs of young people who are out of work, out of school and out of the mainstream. Campaign for Youth advocates for the expansion of those opportunities and supports that prepare youth for their future roles as workers, parents, civic leaders and engaged members of caring communities.
More than 5.4 million youth (ages 16 – 24) are not in school and do not have a job!
The Campaign for Youth brings together national and local youth policy leaders to create a strong collective voice that transcends individual organizational agendas to promote actionable solutions for youth.
Read about youth employment and education in the news!
