Behind every young person is a web of relationships: family, neighbors, former teachers, past employers, community stakeholders – many of whom hold real potential to help them complete or return to school, earn credentials, and find meaningful work. Yet too often, these assets go untapped.
In this 45-minute workshop, Edward DeJesus, founder of Social Capital Builders and Dr. Cera Doering Director of Training, will introduce a fresh, actionable approach to reengagement that puts connections at the center of the solution. Participants will explore how social capital, not just skills or systems, drives young people’s motivation to stay in school, complete training programs, and transition successfully into employment.
Through real-world strategies and field-proven tools, you’ll learn how to help youth surface the industry connections they already have or could build – the connections that bring purpose, relevance, and accountability to their efforts. When young people see a pathway tied to real people who care and work in fields they value, they stay engaged.
You’ll Walk Away With:
- A framework to integrate social capital into reengagement strategies
- Tools to help youth identify and activate their support networks
- Methods to increase persistence through relational accountability
- Tactics to connect youth with industry stakeholders to increase program relevance
Who Should Participate?
Reengagement center leaders, program managers, youth development staff, school district partners, city agency representatives, and anyone committed to helping opportunity youth succeed through meaningful connection and career-aligned engagement. A required pre-session activity demonstrating the Community Connected Learning model is required, via a link that will be sent to registrants two weeks before the session.