Newark Opportunity Youth Network

Today’s the day: Youth Speak for Themselves conversation portal is LIVE! Today, we celebrate a big step in youth-led change with the launch of this interactive portal. Absenteeism is a significant problem, but efforts to solve the issue often leave out the group it most impacts: young people. Now, thanks to Newark Opportunity Youth Network, that story is changing. Created by and for Newark’s youth, this portal brings their voices and insights on absenteeism and educational change directly to school leaders, policymakers, and YOU. Why are kids missing school? What can schools and communities do to help? We encourage everyone to explore their stories through the portal—an online platform designed to showcase the real voices and rich insights from a collection of recorded small-group conversations with Newark’s young people. Listen now and become part of the movement towards positive change. Start exploring: https://lnkd.in/e-8pEv6H

Big Announcement 🚨 On January 16, 2024 Governor Murphy signed the New Jersey YouthBuild Act (S3781/A5582) into law! This bill will create a grant program within the Department of Labor & Workforce Development, which community based organizations serving disconnected youth can apply to. Check out the recently published op/ed that Senator Joseph Lagana and Opportunity Youth Network Chief Executive Officer Robert Clark co-wrote about the impact of YouthBuild programming, and the need to increase access for more youth throughout New Jersey. https://lnkd.in/gDFA_wMv #YB #WhyOY #OYN #opportunityyouth #workforcedevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #greatestresourceavailable #NJYBAct

Big Announcement 🚨 The New Jersey Assembly just passed the Disconnection Prevention Bill, S3080/A398, which would establish the Youth Disconnection Prevention and Recovery Ombudsperson (YDPRO) in the Department of Education and the School Disconnection Prevention Task Force. Special thank you to our sponsors, Senator Ruiz, Senator Burgess, Assemblyman Caputo, Assemblyman Giblin, and Assemblywoman Tucker for being champions for our young people! Thank you to everyone who has participated in supporting and advocating for this bill. #A398 #S3080 #NJOpportunityYouthCoalition #YouthAdvocacy #DisconnectionPrevention #OY #OYN #opportunityyouth #workforcedevelopment #leadershipdevelopment