Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU)

Y.o.u. Provides the largest array of employment programs for teens and young adults, 14-24 years old, in cuyahoga county and is the only organization that is exclusively focused on workforce development for Youth. Y.o.u. Helps nearly 5,000 Youth from under-resourced communities succeed by providing educational and workforce Opportunities, skills development, and access to career pathways. All y.o.u. Programs include four elements: career exploration, paid work experience, job readiness training, and mentoring from a caring adult. The summer Youth employment program, which employs more than 1,500 teens in cleveland and cuyahoga county, is proven to increase high school graduation rates and school attendance and decrease involvement in the criminal justice system. (continued on schedule o)y.o.u. Partners with more than 100 organizations and companies to provide quality work experiences for Youth. The school-based program, jobs for Ohio's graduates, a for-credit class offered at several high schools, focuses on career development, employability, and life and leadership skills. The emphasis is for teens to graduate high school on time and achieve post-secondary success. The high school internship program helps students gain professional skills and hands-on career exploration experience while earning a stipend and networking in a career field of their interest. The young adult program participants earn an industry-recognized credential and pursue a job in their selected career pathway.