{"id":828,"date":"2018-02-21T03:41:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-21T03:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stand.org\/tennessee\/?p=828"},"modified":"2022-12-20T03:42:52","modified_gmt":"2022-12-20T03:42:52","slug":"opportunity-youth-in-memphis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stand.org\/tennessee\/blog\/opportunity-youth-in-memphis\/","title":{"rendered":"Opportunity Youth in Memphis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Coined in 2012 by John Bridgeland, CEO of Civic Enterprises and former director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, the term \u201copportunity youth\u201d refers to the millions of young people in America between the ages of 16 and 24 who, for a variety of reasons, are out of school and unemployed.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memphis is home to the highest percentage of opportunity youth among the nation\u2019s largest metropolitan areas (an estimated 30,000 young people<\/a>), which is a factor that contributes to Memphis also having one of the highest poverty rates in the country. Lack of education and work experience are the biggest obstacles for opportunity youth to overcome. By addressing these two barriers simultaneously, we can turn off the spigot producing opportunity youth and get young people reconnected and reengaged in school, work, and civic life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The future success of Memphis and Shelby County is connected to how we treat our young people \u2013 our potential leaders and the future economic base of our community \u2013 today. Community investment in education, training, and support programs that prepare young people for academic achievement and meaningful careers will pay off in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n