CHALLENGES FACING URBAN YOUTH
A recent Annie E. Casey Foundation report estimates that "4.3 million youth in this country have not progressed beyond a high school diploma and are neither employed nor enrolled in postsecondary education." (Kids Count Data Book, 2006) Youth experiencing this "disconnection" from the economic mainstream make up nearly 15% of all 18-24 year olds, and illustrate the magnitude of a national "opportunity divide" that is getting worse. Compounding the problem is the fact that most new jobs, and virtually all that offer wages sufficient to support a family, require at least some education and training beyond high school, even at the entry-level (Carnevale and Reich 2000). Even one year of postsecondary education increases lifetime earnings by 5 to 15 percent per year. The result is a dual class economy where the people that stand to benefit the most from higher education and career opportunities find it hardest to do so. Without proper guidance and opportunities, these young adults will continue to face enormous challenges in transitioning from high school to higher education and family-supporting careers.

At the same time, the country's fastest growing demographic groups (Latinos and African Americans) are receiving comparatively less education. 29% of Latinos and 15% of African Americans drop out of high school. As a result, a growing number of low-income, minority youth leave high school lacking either the credentials and/or the skills to advance toward a college degree-essentially guaranteeing that they will struggle to earn a family-supporting income in today's economy. Many will enter college only to become discouraged and drop out; others will cycle in and out of job training and adult education programs, never getting beyond low-paying jobs with little prospect of advancement. Without proper guidance and opportunities, these young adults will continue to face enormous challenges in transitioning from high school to achievement in successful careers and higher education.


MEETING THE CHALLENGES
To help address these challenges, Year Up was founded in October 2000 by Gerald Chertavian as a one-year intensive education and apprenticeship program for urban young adults aged 18-24. Year Up's program recognizes that both job skills (technical and professional) and higher education are necessary to provide a viable path to economic self-sufficiency. Our mission is to prepare these young adults for successful careers and higher education.