The numbers are growing of young people who are disconnected
for the “American Dream.” Over six million 16-24 year olds have not held a job
or continued their education beyond high school. Many of these youth are high
school dropouts, foster youth and are already apart of the judicial
system. These youngsters, have often
times been forgotten in political debates and policies around education and
employment.
According to the Social Science Research Council’s Measure
of America project, one in seven between the ages of 16-24 fall into the
category of disengaged youth. The total number has reached an alarming 800,000. This crisis is finally gaining the attention of
some of our leaders and was a topic of discussion at the third annual meeting
of Clinton Global Initiative America, which focuses on solutions to improve our
country’s economic recovery.
A study in California, which has the largest foster care
population, showed that women who “aged-out” of foster care were more than four
times more likely to end up on public assistance. In addition, an impressive number of
California prison inmates have spent some time in the foster care system. According to Measure of America, youth
disconnection’s total a bill to tax payers in 2011 was a whopping $93.7
billion. The Huffington Post reported
that with 1.3 million 16-24 year olds out of work, youth unemployment has the
potential to cost the U.S. $18 billion in lost income over the next 10 years.
We need organizations to create and implement solutions to
target the needs of these youth who are transitioning out of foster care. Services are required to assist them in
developing life skills and job readiness.
All Americans must play their part, be it large or small, to empower
these youth and give them the opportunity to fulfill their “American Dream.”
Dr. Dee Carter
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