This article includes references to self-harm, which some readers might find distressing. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, help is available at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 1-800-273-TALK(8255). More resources from the National Alliance on Mental Illness can be found at https://www.nami.org/suicide.
This story was produced by Chalkbeat and reprinted with permission. Sign up for Chalkbeat’s free weekly newsletter.
Lucian O’Donnell sat curled up in a friend’s home in Southwest Detroit, surrounded by the faded charm of the neighborhood. Despite Detroit’s resurgence, Lucian felt disconnected, struggling with the remnants of COVID-era isolation. In March 2023, the 18-year-old toggled between “Minecraft” on his laptop and social media, aware of the negative content he encountered. He had previously worked long shifts while pursuing night classes after dropping out of high school and had tried to manage his diabetic kidney disease.
Opportunity youth, like Lucian, are 16- to 24-year-olds not engaged in school or work. With 4.2 million in the U.S., if they formed a city, it would be the second largest. They are often forgotten, but efforts exist to reconnect them. The Obama administration highlighted their plight, leading to the Workforce Opportunity and Innovation Act in 2014. However, the programs were small and had limited success. COVID-19 added challenges, pushing for a rethink of engagement strategies.
Detroit’s Employment Solutions Corporation engaged six nonprofits to adopt a holistic approach, addressing the city’s high youth disconnection rate. Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI) and SER Metro Detroit are pivotal players. UNI has long guided students to graduation and college, now ramping up efforts for those who dropped out or graduated uncertain of their next steps. SER Metro, with its GED programs and alternative schooling, offers job training and support to youth like Lucian.
Studies show that adding social-emotional support to reconnection programs can yield positive results. Yet, challenges persist with fragmented efforts and unstable funding. Reconnecting youth remains a bipartisan focus, with Congress considering increased funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The stakes are high, with the future of opportunity youth hanging in the balance.
Lucian’s journey illustrates the complexity of youth disconnection. His experience with UNI’s community garden and culinary program marked a turning point. Although faced with hardships, including his mother’s death, Lucian persevered. After completing the program, he secured a restaurant job, later lost due to the pandemic. He found solace working at Family Treat but faced further isolation during its seasonal closure.
SER Metro’s Anthony Tejada, a GED teacher, supported a 19-year-old named Seth, whose life mirrored Lucian’s challenges. With personal experience of youth disconnection, Tejada emphasized the importance of pacing educational goals. He shared his own journey, illustrating how setbacks can lead to stability and success.
Seth, facing setbacks, was encouraged by Tejada to view his path as non-linear. Lucian, meanwhile, returned to work when Family Treat reopened, striving for stability. Despite setbacks, including a severe diabetic episode, Lucian continued pursuing his goals. His story, alongside Seth’s, underscores the need for comprehensive support and opportunities, beyond just jobs.
Reconnecting youth requires more than economic solutions. It demands addressing deep-rooted inequities and providing pathways to stability. Lucian’s experience highlights the critical need for programs that offer not only employment but also social and emotional support. The journey is ongoing, with many like Lucian and Seth continuing to navigate the challenges of disconnection.
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