At least 13.8% of Wayne County youth are Opportunity Youth. Opportunity are:

• 16- 24 year-olds.

• Disengaged from school or work.

• Often informally connected to a community network.

• More likely than peers to be homeless, uninsured, depressed,

• in poverty, married, have children, or be disabled.

This means that 2,090 Opportunity Youth need to be continued education and living-wage work opportunities in order to have a successful future.

Our Vision states, " Wayne County Pathfinders envisions a future where youth ages 16-24 have a path to success."

Accomplishments to Date:

• Impacted 62 Opportunity Youth through local services.

• Provided mental health services to five local Opportunity Youth.

• Created a website.

• Conducted youth focus groups across Wayne County.

• Hosted a career fair with St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.

• Co-led strategic alignment of action plan with regional, nine- county team.

• Developed a county-wide resource map. (Coming soon on our website!)

Our Next Mile Markers:

• Promote programs that are successfully impacting Opportunity Youth.

• Host educational sessions for local employers of youth.

• Increase employer partnerships with local agencies that serve young adults.

• Place two young adult interns with organizations participating in the Wayne County Pathfinders initative.

• Publish and distribute the Wayne County Asset map.