UM-Dearborn Convenes Opportunity Youth Forum Nov. 16

DEARBORN, MI—More than 85,000 youth ages 16-24 years old in southeast Michigan are not working or in school according to a recent Measure of America study. The disconnection from school or work for this population, often referred to as “opportunity youth,” can have a dire and long-lasting effect on individuals, potentially leading to lower incomes, higher unemployment rates and negative physical and mental health outcomes.

Access to a college education can be a key to reversing this devastating trend, and UM-Dearborn is excited to convene the Opportunity Youth Forum “Pathways to Youth Engagement: Higher Education, Talent and Philanthropic Partnerships” on Nov. 16. The conference features leading funders and corporations of all sizes, local government officials, non-profits, research centers and formerly disconnected youth to work together to explore pathways to post-secondary education and training that will close the equity gaps for this particularly vulnerable group.

The event will generate awareness of existing collaborations, forge new partnerships and consider a guiding framework that leverages the higher education, philanthropic and non-profit sectors to bring effective models to scale. New data will be available from Data Driven Detroit, which takes stock of progress in the field aiming to align related efforts and catalyze change where there are gaps.

“Making the transformative power of a Michigan degree accessible to qualified students regardless of their background or financial means so they can achieve their highest potential is one of UM-Dearborn’s key initiatives, “ said Chancellor Domenico Grasso. “We’re excited to bring together key stakeholders and have a relevant and consequential conversation about connecting our young people to a pathway to success. UM-Dearborn prides itself in convening meaningful discussions and dialogue on issues that impact our community and communities across our nation.”

The conference is co-convened by the Skillman Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and the Michigan Non-profit Association. It will feature prominent speakers including Tonya Allen, President and CEO, Skillman Foundation; Haley Glover, Strategy Director, Lumina Foundation; Monique Miles, Director of the Opportunity Youth Incentive Fund and the Deputy Director of the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions; andDr.Darienne Driver, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. It will also include noted panelists moderated by Alycia Meriweather, Deputy Superintendent, External Partnerships, Enrollment and Specialty Programs, Detroit Public Schools Community District and Jeff Donofrio, Executive Director, Workforce Development, City of Detroit, among others. Regional thought-leaders in the college access and completion arena (Detroit Drives Degrees, Michigan College Access Network) and workforce development proponents (DTE Energy, Detroit Mayor’s Workforce Development Board) will address the audience and answer questions about what strategies are being pursued to achieve collective impact and strengthen the ecosystem to realize better outcomes in education and employment for opportunity youth.

“Opportunity Youth Forum: Pathways to Youth Engagement: Higher Education, Talent and Philanthropic Partnerships” will take place from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16, on UM-Dearborn’s campus.

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