Great Lakes Center for Youth Development expands Vulnerable Youth project

It takes a whole community to take care of its most at-risk children, and that's the goal behind a new approach from the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development in Marquette.

In seven U.P. counties, the center will expand its work with vulnerable youth, focusing especially on collaborating with existing programs like Great Start Collaboratives and other youth-centered nonprofits. The Vulnerable Youth program plans to develop resource networks to improve conditions and academic success for youth, so they can become successful adults.

The center recently started a Vulnerable Youth Learning Network in Baraga County, and a College Access/Career Readiness Network in Marquette and Alger counties. The expanded program will allow those networks to be replicated in Alger, Baraga, Delta, Houghton, Marquette and Schoolcraft counties, and ultimately throughout the U.P.

It also will include an annual vulnerable youth conference for organizations across the U.P., to network, share standards and practices, and learn about possible collaborations.

"By leveraging existing communities' strengths, such as Great Start Collaboratives and strong youth serving nonprofits, we plan to ensure there is a holistic system of supports for vulnerable youth that is sustainable well beyond this funding opportunity," says Amy Quinn, VP of GLCYD.

The expansion is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which is providing $905,000 over the next three years.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Amy Quinn, Great Lakes Center for Youth Development
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