Guest Post: The Doe Fund’s New Youth Initiative
•The Doe Fund is a dynamic member of Opportunity Nation’s coalition that is addressing disconnection from educational and career opportunities among homeless youth in New York City. Check out their new program below and get more information here: http://www.doe.org/
As we survey the landscape after the worst economic downturn since the great depression, we see encouraging images: businesses are growing, workers are finding jobs, and the housing market is on the rebound. While the rest of the country is emerging from the economic disaster, The Doe Fund is providing relief to some of the hardest hit citizens of New York City – homeless youth.
Made possible through a generous donation from the Heckscher Foundation for Children, The Doe Fund’s new Youth Initiative is addressing the record high unemployment rates and lack of high school credentials among homeless youth in New York City. A recent publication by the Center for Economic Opportunity reports that 15.8% of the youth in NYC are not engaged in work or school. As part of this new initiative, 18- to 26-year-olds who enter The Doe Fund’s Ready, Willing & Able program without a high school diploma or equivalent will have the opportunity to participate in a mixed week of work and education. While traditional youth programs emphasize transitional employment or education, The Doe Fund’s program allows participants to pursue both work and education at the same time without having to choose one over the other.
For three days a week, youth participants will engage in paid transitional work. For the remaining two days, participants will attend educational classes. The Doe Fund is thrilled to launch this new program, because in the real world, youth will need both to succeed.
