Grants Approved For Programs That Reach Out To Disconnected Youth

Two new grants from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation will target out-of-school and immigrant young people in an effort to reduce poverty, increase graduation rates and coordinate workforce services.

The Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, based in Magnolia, and Youth Strategies of Springdale will each receive grants of $100,000 for a three-year program. The grants will support the expansion of workforce and education programs focused on disconnected youth ages 16-25 in Benton, Calhoun, Columbia, Dallas, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Sevier, Union and Washington Counties.

"Recent KIDS COUNT data indicate that our state ranked 44th in the country in the number of teens not working and not in school," said Dr. Sherece West, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation president and CEO. "Without targeted action, these disconnected youth will grow up to be adults relegated to unemployment and/or low-wage jobs. These grants will help coordinate existing services and support for youth in ways that serve the neediest of our youth."

For more information on the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation click here.