By Stefan Reyes
Back in February, our TRENDS Director Erika Stutzman posted about the 15 Forever Youth Advisory Committee just as they began the difficult process of reviewing the 16 proposals that were submitted March 11.
Three months later, at an intimate reception on May 17, members of the 15 Forever Youth Advisory Committee presented $15,000 in grants to four agencies that provide academic support to youth living in poverty:
• Chinook West, an alternative high school program run by TEENS, Inc.
• “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Boulder County
• City of Longmont Gang Response and Intervention Program (GRIP) Girls Leadership Program
• Attention Homes
So often, conversations about the achievement and opportunity gap center on our youngest children, leaving out the critical needs that youth have as they approach adulthood and prepare to transition out of high school.
In 2012, the Colorado Department of Education recorded that 69% of economically disadvantaged students in the St. Vrain Valley School District graduated within four years of beginning high school. In the Boulder Valley School District, the percentage is only slightly higher at 74%.
Across both school districts in 2011, only 42% of graduates who were eligible for free and reduced lunch went on to pursue higher education, compared to 69% of ineligible students. After a semester of considering statistics like these, and pulling from their own experiences, this committee decided to step up and address those needs.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying to be on the 15 Forever Youth Advisory Committee, please contact Stefan@commfound.org.
