Opportunity Reboot
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Opportunity Reboot is part of our Economic Opportunity focus area. Opportunity Reboot mobilizes public and private resources to sustain and grow the work of organizations creating career pathways for opportunity youth, youth who are disconnected from education and employment. Training and technical support are provided to help organizations bridge best practices in youth development and workforce development in order to more effectively create pathways to school, career, and life success.
The program began in 2015, when Youthprise secured funding from state and federal agencies to increase employment opportunities for young people across Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Youth Development, Search Institute, and MENTOR Minnesota are key partners in the initiative.
Primary funding was provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, who awarded Youthprise with a $3 million Social Innovation Fund grant for three years. Youthprise matched the amount with local funds and selected six organizations to implement the Opportunity Reboot model, which aims at increasing career pathways for opportunity youth in Minnesota.
Original Opportunity Reboot grantees were Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Guadalupe Alternative Programs (GAP), Migizi Communications, Northfield Healthy Community Initiative, Sauk Rapids-Rice School District/ Initiative Foundation, and SOAR.
Opportunity Reboot addresses the economic challenges confronting young people and is one solution to the persistent racial disparities in our state. While the Twin Cities ranks #1 among the largest 25 metro areas for the proportion of adults working, the Twin Cities ranks 23 out of 25 for the largest employment gap between White and Black residents.
The long term goals of Opportunity Reboot are to holistically support young people to sustain living wage employment, achieve stable housing, establish a web of social capital, and to contribute to their community.
Get Involved
Plug into our work however you’re able! Here are nine suggestions to get you started:
- Donate to Youthprise to show your support;
- Join our mailing list to learn about upcoming opportunities;
- Follow Youthprise on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter;
- Volunteer to contribute your time and skills or join a committee;
- Sign up to become a Nutrition partner site;
- Apply for funding through one of our current or upcoming RPFs;
- Contact your representatives and spread the word about our Policy priorities;
- Kee and eye on the work of the UFA and listen to those who struggle with housing stability;
- Sign up for MAA or spread the word to families in need;
- Or Contact us to ask questions, build a partnership, or learn more!
