The Urban Youth Empowerment Program and Gulf Coast Employment Initiative (a NUL Signature Program) demonstrates that early exposure to career opportunities sparks a desire for knowledge and introduces the concept of life-long learning—an essential component toward continuous development and credentialing for all workers, especially youth disenfranchised from mainstream America. The program reinforces the skills employers seek in potential employees.
 
Our corporate and educational partners, in these programs, provide the critical support and structure necessary to begin equipping vulnerable young adults with the new skills and abilities required to compete in a knowledge-based economy.
 
These programs are made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to re-connect “high-risk” out-of-school and adjudicated 18 to 24 year olds with education and employment, through:

• Case Management and Mentorship
• Community Service (Work Experience)
• Internships
• Educational and Personal Development Skills
• Unsubsidized Employment and/or post secondary education

By additionally partnering with faith and community based organizations, the programs are able to deliver the academic, career exploration and personal development acumen that are prerequisites to launching successful careers. The process of developing work assignments for young adults in their local communities allow young adults to create products or services which benefit the community while providing the participants with positive reinforcement.
 
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