Through a grant from the Department of Labor, the Urban League of Greater Dallas now offers a career and education development program with service learning opportunities for young adults between the ages 18 and 21.
The Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP) is a 6-8 month long commitment and includes job readiness courses, career and education support, service learning projects, internship placements, and assistance with job placement or enrollment in post-secondary education institution or an industry recognized certification program. For more information contact Stefon Chandler at schandler@ulgdnctx.com or call (214) 915-4696.
Educators are concerned that cost may prevent students and adults from obtaining a GED test credential. The Urban League’s UYEP program includes a GED curriculum which is a free program that includes classroom instruction and weekly meetings with an advisor to assess progress. Test fees are waived. Students who qualify for the Urban Youth Empowerment Program also receive tutoring and flexible class hours. To put them on the road for educational success, they receive financial counseling, one-on-one career coaching, and a graduation ceremony upon completion.
Eligible participants must have had contact with the justice system between the ages of 14 and 18 but not charged as an adult, and live in Dallas County. At the close of the program students will leave with a GED or high school diploma, solid skills to enter and compete in the workforce, and a positive relationship with their community.
Youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system find themselves uniquely disadvantaged; often they are considerably behind in academic achievement, with little guidance on how to succeed in the workplace.
Communities lose trust in young offenders and offenders continue to feel displaced and disengaged from the community. In addition to providing academic support to earn a GED or high school diploma and training on how to succeed in the workplace, UYEP participants will engage in 448 hours of paid service learning where they develop necessary employment skills while substantively and meaningfully serving their community.
The mission of the Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas (ULGD) is to provide the critical skills and resources necessary to enable all citizens to secure economic self- reliance.
