National Council of Young Leaders Launched at Opportunity Nation Summit

National Council of Young Leaders Launched at Opportunity Nation Summit Jamiel Alexander, Member, National Council of Young Leaders and Sally Osberg, President, Skoll Foundation The newly launched National Council of Young Leaders laid out their principles for action, priority recommendations, and a broader agenda for change at the Opportunity Nation Summit held in Washington, DC on September 19, 2012. The Summit brought together over 1200 thought leaders to discuss creating new pathways for young adults to fulfill their potential and highest aspirations. Leaders such as Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Coons (D-DE); Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D); media personalities Michael Gerson, Arianna Huffington, Judy Woodruff; celebrity Jordin Sparks and many others were on hand to offer their thoughts on what America needs to do to ensure that the skills and talents of an entire generation are not lost because of inadequate pathways to success. The Council led a breakout session attended by over 350 young people where they shared and explained their Six Immediate Recommendations for improving youth opportunity that they developed earlier this year:  Expand Full-time Comprehensive Programs that include education, employment, and service Expand National Service Expand Private Internships Increase Mentoring Opportunities Increase Pathways to Higher Education Expand Second Chance and Re-Entry Programs for All These recommendations, generated by the National Council of Young Leaders, largely echo and reinforce the Shared Plan developed over a two year period by the Opportunity Nation Coalition, which also emphasized expanding full-time comprehensive programs, expanding private internships, increasing mentoring opportunities, and increasing pathways to higher education.  While laying out their recommendations, the National Council members solicited support and feedback via live texting and polling from the youth in the audience.   Jamie Turner, a graduate of YouthBuild Indy in Indiana presented the first recommendation, Expand Full-time Comprehensive Programs. She shared her story of being a transitional coordinator at her local YouthBuild program and traveling to the Summit with five graduates from her program. Jamie described them all as "a true testimony on why comprehensive programs work. Since graduating YouthBuild, all went on to attend college.  All received a solid certification in construction trades while building housing for low-income families." Adam Strong, a graduate of YouthBuild Hazard in Kentucky, spoke about education. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Medical Lab Science and works as a teacher's aide at his local program. Adam said, "Education is the future for America and we as Americans have to ensure that our youth are better prepared to be successful in life." In support of the Council, Roberta Shields presented a videotaped message from her son, Grammy winning artist and actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, urging young people to lift up their voices and be heard concerning issues that affect their lives and their communities. Read the Council's complete policy call to action, Recommendations to Increase Opportunity and Decrease Poverty in America (PDF), including specific recommendations - drawn from the experience and expertise of the young leaders. Read Opportunity Nation's Shared Plan here. Council Members: Jamiel L. Alexander, York, PA Affiliated Organization: YouthBuild USA Anays Antongiorgi, Chicago, IL Affiliated organization: Public Allies Ramean Clowney, Philadelphia, PA Affiliated organizations:  Jobs for the Future and the Philadelphia Youth Network Ryan Dalton, New Orleans, LA Affiliated organization:  Youth Leadership Institute Ladine Daniels, Jr., Charleston, SC Affiliated organization: The Corps Network Cherise Flowers, Chicago, IL Affiliated organization:  Year Up Francisco Garcia, Los Angeles, CA Affiliated organization:  Young Leadership Institute Shawnice Jackson, Baltimore, MD Affiliated organization:  Public Allies Christopher Prado, Stockton, CA Affiliated organization:  Opportunity Nation Rolanda Schand, Miami, FL Affiliated organization:  Opportunity Nation Adam Strong, Hazard, KY Affiliated organization:  YouthBuild USA Rural and Tribal Initiative Philandrian Tree, Flagstaff, AZ Affiliated organization:  The Corps Network Jamie Turner, Indianapolis, IN Affiliated organization:  YouthBuild USA Sotheara Yem, San Francisco, CA Affiliated organization: Year Up Watch the National Council of Young Leaders and Allies Gathering at the Opportunity Nation Summit Read the Council Members bios and learn about the Circle of Allies and Champions, an informal network of influential leaders in political, business and entertainment, committed to supporting these young adult leaders in their endeavor to expand youth opportunity in America. The Circle of Allies and Champions includes (in formation): Honorary Chair: Jeff Skoll, Former President, eBay, Founder and Chairman, Skoll Foundation Melody Barnes, Chair, Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions John Bridgeland, President and CEO, Civic Enterprises Henry Cisneros, Executive Chairman, CityView Mimi Clarke Corcoran , Director, Special Fund for Poverty Alleviation, Open Society Foundations Angela Glover-Blackwell, Founder and CEO, PolicyLink Peter Levine, Director, CIRCLE, Tufts University Patrick McCarthy, President and CEO, Annie E. Casey Foundation Charles Ogletree, Professor of Law, Harvard University, Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice Sally Osberg, President, Skoll Foundation Roberta Shields, President, Ludacris Foundation Bobbi Silten, SVP, Global Responsibility, Gap, Inc. & President, Gap Foundation Kerry Sullivan, President, Bank of America Charitable Foundation Patricia Stonesifer, Chair, White House Council on Community Solutions The Council is sponsored by a collaboration of active national organizations dedicated to creating a pathway into adult success and civic engagement for low-income young people, including Jobs for the Future, Opportunity Nation, Public Allies, The Corps Network, Year Up, Youth Leadership Institute, and YouthBuild USA. It is staffed by YouthBuild USA.      Donate to YouthBuild USA YouthBuild USA 58 Day Street Somerville, MA 02144 United States Visit us at youthbuild.org Questions? Email us