Ornrce on Mnvon Sruvr Aonivrs
Crv or PoRruno
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
Septernberl0,2009
Auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade
Mayor Sam Adams
SUBJBCT: Summer Youth Corps Reporl to Council (September 16,2009)
This is an official request to place the Portland Multnomah Youth Corps Report on the Agencla for the
Portland City Council meeting on September 16,2009. The Youth Corps is a four-year series of
interventions for targeted high school students during the crucial suffuner months. Each year, students
wilL receive progressively more intensive academic support ancl career experiences as they move toward
graduation ancl into higher education, training, and jobs.
This summer the Youth Corps initiative was launchecl in collaboration with Multnomah County Chair
Ted Wheeler, the Pofiland Schools Founclation, ancl Worksystems Inc. Portland City Council will hear
from program staff, community parlners, and youth that participatecl in the following programs:
Career + College Exploration' Connects students with the acaclemic support and life experiences to staft
high school on the right track. Nearly 500 students attendecl weekly hands-on tours and connecting with
employees at a broad range of career sites. In adclition, they visitecl colleges, apprenticeship programs and
other post-seconclary training sites across the region.
Credit Recovery + Internships (PILOT). Allows stuclents to get back on track through credit recovery and
valuable work experience. Thirty-five students attencled summer school ancl job skills training, with
twenty-five students continuing on to a 6-week paicl internship in City Bureaus.
SummerWorks.' Exposes young people to the workplace, enhances academic skills and increases
marketable skills to help make informecl career choices. Through Fecleral Recovery Act Stimulus Funding
(ARRA), Worksysterns, Inc. was able to serve I ,165 stuclents in Multnomah and Washington Counties
through its network of Youth Provider Agencies. Participants were placecl in work sites across the region,
typically for l0-weeks of paicl work experience.
I
1221 SW FouRrH Avenue, So¡rr 340 PoRrlrno, Onr,co¡r 97204
(503) 823 -4 120,) mayorsamadams. com
Portland Multnomah
Youth Corps sequence
10ù GEde
The Portlond Multnomoh Youth Corps is a four-year
series of interventions for targeted high school
Post-secondary
students during the crucial summer months. Each
year, students will receive progressively more
intensive academic support and career + college experiences
Bõlc skill
as they move toward graduation and into higher education,
remedlation. Daid
;;;kä-;"'¿íä training, and jobs. Using Connected by 25 research, we can
identify students with an elevated risk of dropping out and support
them through key transitions to increase their likelihood of graduating. This
summer's effort reached 1,306 students. This initiative will be brought to scale using
strategic partnerships over the coming years.
Career + Colleae Exploration: (9th Gradel
titth gåbo,lrrtro n init¡otive of the Ponlond schoots Foundation
partnershiprith
Connects students with the academic support and life experiences to start high school on the right track.
The Connected by 25 research identified the 9th grade transition as a critical time for students at risk of
dropping out - especially the summer months. Nearly 500 students attended weekly hands-on tours and
interacted with employees at a broad range of career sites. ln addition, they visited colleges, apprenticeship
programs and other post-secondary training sites across the region. Students were accompanied on these
visits by staff from local youth programs along with a consistent set of adult volunteer "coaches" from the
community who helped the youth reflect on their experiences and consider options for the future.
in
Credit Recoverv + tnternships (PtLOTt (LOth Grade\
Reengages students who have fallen behind in 9th grade by
providing an opportunity for them to recover needed credits
while working in a paid summer internship. Research shows that
youth who enter tenth grade behind in credits are four times
more likely to drop out of high school. This summer, thirty-five
students in the pilot program engaged in summer school classes
and job-skills training followed by a 6-week internship in City
Bureaus. While students learned valuable job skills and
experienced potential career choices, this opportunity also
reinforced the importance of obtaining a high school education
and beyond. These experiences impart vital skills and self
confidence that students take with them throughout life.
!4ffrTk.
(u'h crade a uevonoì
vouth summertøorts le¿ øv
Exposes young people to high growth high demand career opportunities, enhances academic skills, and
increases marketable skills to help make informed career choices. Through Federal Recovery Act Stimulus
Funding (ARRA), Worksystems, lnc. was able to serve 1,250 students in Multnomah and Washington
Counties through its network of Youth Provider Agencies. Participants were placed in work sites across the
region, typically for 8-weeks of paid work experience.
Ninth Grade Counts and Youth Gorps 2009: A Gonstellation of Programs and Resources
to support a successful transition into high school for students at risk of dropping out
Ninth Grade GountS tpse initiative)
A network of 22 summer transition support programs run by non-profits and schooldrsfricfq
focused on improving high schoolreadrness for 1 ,000 9th graders at risk of dropping out
RESOURCES PROVIDED TO PROGR.AMS: Full-time summer AmeriCorps members,
Marylhurst tutors, monthly TriMet passes, youth-led high school readiness workshop
Youth Gorps
(lnitiative of Mayor & Chair's Education Cabinet)
Career + College exploration experience for 500 youth at 13 Ninth Grade
PROGRAM EXAMPLE
David Douqlas School Dist.
mer transition support
program taught by high school
teachers designed to build
academic skills, confidence, and
familiarity with high schoolfor 50
incoming DDHS 9th graders
Su m
Resources accessed vía Ninth
Grade Counts= 3 Marylhurst
tutors, monthly TriMet passes,
one youth-led high school
readiness workshop
Counts paftner programs
RESOURCES PROUDEq TO PROGRAMS: Weekly site visits for cohorts of
15-20 students, including outreach to businesses and colleges, trip
coordination, bus transportation to sites, lunches, and volunteer coaches,
plus monthly TriMet passes.and gift card incentives for
students
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PROGRAM EXAMPLE
El Programa Hispano/Catholic Charities
A cultu rally-specific su mme r transition program
focused on literacy, science, and enrichment,
serving approximately 50 studenfs af fwo sifes:
Madison HS and Parkrose HS
22 partner programs include: Big Brothers, Big Sisters; Campfire USA; El Programa
Hispano/Catholic Charities; David Douglas School District; I Have a Dream Foundation;
lmmigrant & Refugee Community Organization (4 distinct programs); Metropolitan Family
Service; NAYA Native American Youth & Family Center; Neighborhood House, Open
MeadoMStep Up; Oregon Building Congress, Parkrose School District (2 distinct
programs), Portland Public Schools; REAP, lnc; Self-Enhancement lnc; Straightway
Services; Urban League
Resoørces accessed.'
Via Ninth Grade Counts:2 full-time AmeriCorps
members, 3 Marylhurst tutors, one youthJed
high school readiness workshop
Via Youth Co4os: Weekly college + career site
visits for 4 cohorts of 15-20 students, monthly
TriMet passes, and gift card student incentives