Project is intended to improve educational and employment outcomes for at least 1,400 youth between the ages of 14 and 21 living in Denver's 12 Enterprise Communities. Building on the city's existing Youth Opportunity program, this collaborative project is based on a comprehensive approach to youth development that links academic, recreation, employment and support activities to occupational outcomes. The GY-2K Project will serve the nine Enterprise Community neighborhoods not included in the current Youth Opportunity program, including the predominantly Latino communities of Denver's southwest and northwest areas, and the largely African American and growing Latino communities of northeast Denver. Child poverty rates in these neighborhoods range from 47 percent to 73 percent, and the unemployment rate ranges from 10 percent to 29 percent. More than half of the students at four high schools in these neighborhoods drop out of school.
Crime rates are generally well above the city's average.
The youth development specialists and the One-Stop Centers will provide mentoring, counseling, and access to skills training, vocational training, work experience, academic programs, and sports and recreation activities. Young people will have access to, and receive, a comprehensive array of services, with individual case management provided by a youth development specialist. Young people will gain work experience through placements in summer and year-round jobs. Participating employers will be given guidance on how to make this work experience particularly meaningful and productive. Young people's academic achievement will be enhanced through tutoring, GED and basic skills instruction, dropout prevention activities, and a night schools transition program.