Connected by 25

Why Should Our Communities Care About

What Happens to Older Youth?

Most young people make the transition from adolescence to adulthood with the support of their families, communities, and schools. However, 5.4 million of our nation’s most vulnerable youth —youth aging out of foster care, teenage parents, out-of-school students and those in danger of dropping out, and youth involved in the juvenile justice system – lack the services and social supports they need to succeed as productive workers, responsible parents, and engaged citizens.

The fate of these young people impacts us all.

What are the costs of inaction?  

Here are some startling realities:

• Over the next decade, a new generation of children will be born to young parents whose ability to provide for them financially will be severely compromised. Research shows that the children of disconnected youth will be at risk for many of the same negative outcomes experienced by their parents.

• Every year our nation loses a sizable portion of the potential labor market. As a result, billions of dollars in earnings and tax revenue that could flow into our economy are wasted.

• A large number of court-involved youth—even if convicted of minor crimes—will lose their rights to vote and thus to participate in the civic voice of many American communities.

As a society, we cannot afford the high costs that result from ignoring the plight of struggling youth. In order to keep our economy strong, our communities safe and vibrant, and our young people on track, we must work together to create opportunities to connect all youth to the education, employment, and support they need to transition into a successful adult life. 

What Is Philanthropy Doing About It?

Fortunately, a host of social ills—from violence and urban decay to persistent poverty and homelessness to lost wages and the high costs of incarceration—can be prevented by investing in cost-effective community supports that help young people who are, or who are in danger of becoming, disconnected. The strategies outlined in the YTFG publication Safe Passage highlight some of the ways we can make more prudent and effective investments in our young people.

With this website toolkit for funders, policymakers, and advocates, we hope to entice our communities to seize this call to action to support the safe passage of America’s youth to successful adulthood.  After all, these are all of our children.  Let us profit from what they become. 

Reach out to YTFG and find out more.