Alleviating the problem of increasing high school drop-out rates must begin before students enter high school.  Many youth have disconnected from the educational system long before their first day in high school. Investments in youth and programs that re-engage youth in education, training and the workforce, present a significant opportunity for social impact. Intentional efforts to increase high school graduation rates should begin in the early years.

Why Youth:

1. If our current and future challenges are going to be solved, we must engage our youth in higher order thinking
2. If we are seeking an increase in innovation and new ideas, all youth must understand their potential
3. If enrollment in higher education or entrepreneurial opportunities are to increase, everyone must be involved 

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men" Frederick Douglass

“A study released by The Civil Rights Project at Harvard University (CRP) and the Urban Institute in 2004 shows that only about 68 percent of all students nationally who enter 9th grade will graduate "on time" with regular diplomas in 12th grade. While the graduation rate for White students is 75 percent, only approximately half of Black, Latino, and Native American students earn regular diplomas alongside their classmates. Graduation rates are even lower for minority males.”

“Disengaged youth are more likely to be living in poverty, receiving public assistance, in prison, on death row, unhealthy, divorced, single parents, and ultimately high school dropouts with children who dropout from high school themselves.” This cycle will continue unless someone, some program, some company gets directly involved to help our young people change their paradigm; if we can change the thinking we can change the life.