Opportunity for children and youth varies depending on where they live. Overall, 65 percent of Greater New Haven youth under 25 report having the education they need to advance in their careers. In New Haven, however, this number drops to less than half of the under 25 year old population.
The proportion of youth disconnectedness — that is, teenagers who are not in school and not working at a job — is low in the region overall. Five percent of Greater New Haven youth ages 16-19 are not attending school as compared to 6 percent nationally. In low-income neighborhoods, however, this rate jumps to 14 percent. These young people are unlikely to complete high school, hurting their future job prospects and increasing their risk of involvement in the criminal justice system.
See these and other indicators in The Community Progress Report: Measuring the Wellbeing of Greater New Haven.
What The Community Foundation is Doing
The Community Foundation’s support of programs that nurture children and youth collectively engage individuals, families, schools, and communities in the pursuit of education, self-determination, and character and leadership development. This holistic approach is critical to promoting positive youth development. Most grants awarded in this area support after school or out of school programming. Research has shown that youth who attend programs after school are much less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as violence, drug use and early parenthood.
Recent Highlights:
- 2016 grant award recipients include: Boys and Girls Club of New Haven, Farnam Neighborhood House, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Pequenas ligas Hispanas de New Haven, Solar Youth and Youth Continuum Inc.