Chicago Program Builds a New Path For At-Risk Youth

The Takeaway | May 24, 2017

Click on the 'Listen' button above to hear this interview. 

In 2015, there were about 4.9 million youth — or 1 out of 8 young Americans — who were not in school or working, according to the County Health Rankings report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. In the city of Chicago, there are about 60,000 of these disconnected youths. 

The city is mounting a campaign to reach these young people. Through a private-public partnership called Thrive Chicago, the Windy City hopes to connect 10,000 of these youth and young adults with jobs, internships or mentorship programs. Brandis Friedman, who covers education with WTTW's Chicago Tonight, explains how Thrive Chicago is working. 

See Also: New Report Warns of Growing Number of 'Disconnected Youth'

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