2016 Ready by 21 National Meeting

Opportunity youth – also referred to as disconnected youth – are the 5.5 million 16-24 year olds that are not in school and not employed. Opportunity youth have often faced unique challenges and barriers throughout their lives which is why it is critical to provide comprehensive services and supports in a coordinated manner.
In this world café, participants will hear from experts through an intimate and interactive exchange on promising strategies and effective programs that are connecting opportunity youth to education and employment pathways. Participants will have the opportunity to choose two they want to learn more about.
Presenters will discuss:

• Gateway to College National Network: Explore how a fresh start in a college environment allows previously unsuccessful students to create new identities as college students. This session will feature student voices addressing how Gateway to College programs leverage dual credit with holistic student support which includes intrusive advising, safe spaces, and strength-based approaches to provide pathways to meaningful college credentials.
• Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.: Learn about their Positive Youth Justice framework to support court involved youth, a model that improves participants' attitudes towards gainful work by providing assistance to form greater labor market attachments - while working to reduce risky behaviors and recidivism. Also, hear about strategies to get buy-in to this non-traditional approach to workforce development.
• Youth Empowerment Project (New Orleans, La.): Hear the lessons learned associated with conceptualizing, designing, operating and evaluating The Village. This innovative, community-based education program provides high school equivalency instruction coupled with wrap-around supportive services for 16-21 year olds who have been pushed out of school, with a specific emphasis on supporting black male youth and youth who identified as LGBT.