YAP CEO Jeff Fleischer moderated a briefing on Capitol Hill about disconnected youth. The briefing, sponsored by Senator Stabenow (MI) and Representative Kildee (MI-5), focused on the 6.7 million aged 16-24 "disconnected" or "opportunity" youth who have no connection to school or work, but who remain hopeful for their futures. In comments intended to frame the urgency of helping disconnected youth, Fleischer noted the staggering costs to society - up to 93 billion dollars to taxpayers and 252 billion to society each year - if we do nothing to help reconnect these youth. The panelists discussed the urgency of addressing the needs of disconnected youth and cited examples of how they are working to reconnect disconnected youth. Three youth also shared their powerful stories about how they went from disconnected to reconnected. Fleischer also discussed YAP's history of reconnecting youth to their families and communities in our programs across the country. Panelists included Dr. Daniel King, Superintendent of the Pharr-San Juan – Alamo Independent School District, TX, Bill Hanbury, CEO, United Way of the National Capital Area, Ernest Dorsey, Assistant Director, Youth Services for the Mayo's Office of Employment Development, Baltimore City and Michele Corey, VP of Programs Michigan's Children. The Briefing was also sponsored by United Way, Campaign for Youth, First Focus, National Collaboration for Youth, Forum for Youth Investment, Young Invincibles, YouthBuild USA, Public Allies, Year Up National Capital Region.

View an infographic on Disconnected Youth.

For more information, contact Shaena Fazal, sfazal@yapinc.org or (202)594-6893.