See Forever's Young Adult Learning Center

See Forever's commitment to seeing the potential in every child has turned alternative education for youth on the margins into a pathway to postsecondary success. See Forever proves every day that it is never too late or a waste of resources to invest in young people who have been arrested or incarcerated, have an identified learning disability or have tragically low reading or math skills. See Forever takes the toughest challenges --- school dropouts, teenage mothers, kids in trouble with the law, and give them the education and life skills they need to meet the demands of responsible adulthood. The results are astonishing: 6 out 10 of their high school graduates have earned or are pursuing secondary education

This year, CharityWorks joins forces with See Forever to expand the Young Adult Learning Center --- a school where marginalized young adults get a second, maybe a last, chance to get off the path of underemployment, dependence and a high probability of returning to prison. Building upon their experience operating the school within the District's long-term secure facility for delinquent youth, The Young Adult Learning Center close a gap in the community's education options for disconnected youth ages 17-24.

The need is critical. Without a high school credential or skills by age 25, young people are more likely to be unemployed, underemployed or dependent on public assistance throughout adulthood. Male high school dropouts are especially at risk of bad outcomes, with a large percentage incarcerated at some point before they reach 25. Among African American males, approximately 1 in 3 young men, ages 18-24, without a high school degree or GED are either incarcerated or on parole at any point in time. Additionally, by age 25, nearly all of disconnected young women will have started families; most of these young mothers will face the daunting challenge.

The Young Adult Learning Center will get these young people to the first rung --- a high school diploma or General Education Development certificate together with transition support to help them keep on climbing out of poverty and onto the path to prosperity. The Center will "meet the student where he or she is" by tailoring an academic program that offers the best chance for success. Students will also have access to high-quality workforce training in industries where entry level jobs are readily available in the Washington, D.C. area. In collaboration with partners such as the Marriott Career Internship Program, the Seaport Foundation, and Partners for Green Creations, students will have opportunities to gain critical hands-on-experience and where available, an industry-recognized credential.