YOUTH EXPRESS

Business is a skill and work is a habit but they must be actively developed. Without real and challenging work experiences to develop these skills and habits, many youth are not adequately prepared to enter the modern workforce. Unfortunately, youth unemployment has worsened dramatically over the last decade, leaving more and more youth without a key foundational experience of youth.

The Urban Apprentice program is Youth Express' most critical program for teens transitioning to adulthood. Each enterprise - Express Bike Shop or Express Yourself Clothing - operates and competes like any other traditional small business, while also serving as a dynamic learning lab where youth learn about and help operate all aspects of the business. High expectations, unique training curriculum with assessments, and real, hands-on work experience with coaching/mentoring by adult staff result in vibrant community businesses and local youth with a competitive edge. As noted in the next section, our success with this program and the growing local and national need to address the lack of meaningful jobs for youth has lead Youth Express to make strategic plans for expansion.