Growth Opportunities (GO) Program: Empowering Justice-Involved Youth for Workforce Success

IYF, in partnership with Connect Ed (a subsidiary of Central New York Health Home Network) and the North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center (NC-YVPC), is launching a three-and-a-half-year program designed to support 425 justice-involved youth across New York and North Carolina in transforming their futures. The Growth Opportunities (GO) program, funded 100% by a $5.1 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration, seeks to bridge the gap between at-risk youth and the workforce, equipping them with the skills, experience, and support needed to secure stable and decent work opportunities.  

The Challenge 

In many regions of the United States, crime and poverty are deeply intertwined. For young people caught in these cycles, the path to a brighter future can seem elusive. This is particularly true for justice-involved youth, who face numerous challenges in overcoming their past experiences and achieving long-term success. In New York and North Carolina, the targeted areas—Lumberton, Fairmont, and Pembroke in North Carolina, and Rome and Utica in New York—are grappling with violent crime rates and high levels of poverty. For example, the crime rate in Lumberton is nine times higher than state and national averages, while poverty in these regions regularly exceeds the national average. These conditions place youth at heightened risk of continued involvement in the justice system, making intervention essential. In North Carolina, the program will also focus on reaching youth from the Lumbee Tribe, recognizing the unique cultural and historical factors that shape their experiences and ensuring that outreach efforts are responsive to the needs of Native communities. 

Setting a Clear Path Forward 

The primary goal of the GO Program is to prepare 425 justice-involved youth, ages 15-24, for the workforce, helping them gain the skills, experience, and confidence needed to pursue meaningful employment or further education. The program is built around four core objectives: 

Basic Services & Follow-up: Providing essential services such as life skills training, case management, and wraparound support to help youth succeed both personally and professionally. 

Paid Work Experience: Offering participants hands-on job opportunities, where they can apply their skills in real-world settings and build work experience with fair and reasonable compensation. 

Mentorship & Leadership Development: Pairing youth with mentors who share similar lived experiences to build trust, foster leadership skills, support workforce readiness, and guide them toward conflict resolution and violence reduction. 

Placement into Educational Opportunities: Supporting youth in pursuing education or training programs that will further their career prospects, including referrals to community colleges, job training programs, and internships. 

Strength in Collaboration 

The success of the GO Program relies heavily on the collaboration between IYF, Connect Ed, and NC-YVPC. These partners bring a wealth of experience in youth violence prevention, mentorship, and workforce development, ensuring that participants receive the best possible support. 

These organizations will work together to create a seamless, integrated service delivery model that addresses both the immediate needs of participants and their long-term goals. 

Looking Ahead 

The GO Program stands out because of its holistic approach to youth development. By integrating work readiness, technical skills training, mentorship, and educational support, the program creates a well-rounded framework for success. By equipping young people with the tools they need to succeed, we are not only supporting them in transforming their lives but also creating a ripple effect that will benefit their families and communities. 

As the program unfolds over the next three years, IYF, Connect Ed, and NC-YVPC are committed to supporting these young people every step of the way, ensuring that they have the resources, guidance, and opportunities to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.