Youth Engagement Craig Schroeder Senior Associate Critical Issues

Youth Engagement Craig Schroeder Senior Associate

Critical Issues: Youth Impact § Generational Wealth Transfer § Historical Youth Out-Migration Trends § Loss of Farms, Industry and Small Businesses § Erosion of Leadership and Civic Capacity

What do we mean by “youth”? 1. Elementary to post-secondary (K-16) age young people that we can engage in civic leadership roles, entrepreneurship and career opportunities in their community. 1. Young adults (19 -35 years) that we can encourage to live and work in our communities (potentially with families of their own!).

Gallup Poll Results Seven out of 10 (69%) high-school students are interested in starting their own business, but 86% rated themselves as very poor to fair on their knowledge of business and entrepreneurship. 85% of these students thought it was important or very important to receive entrepreneurship education in schools. Gallup Organization, Inc.

l New – – – Opportunities Entrepreneurship Information Technology Biotechnology l Youth – – – Perspectives Family and Community Quality of Life and Civic Engagement Entrepreneurship – a preferred career path We need to rethink our options and learn from history…

Learning From History: Not that long ago, in 10 Americans were employed. 9 self- They knew how to create and sustain entrepreneurial communities.

Your Entrepreneurial Heritage?

Youth Are Critical to Rural Vitality! l l l l 3: 1 positive impact upon population Long-term business and career goals Educated workforce for expanding businesses Substantial consumers of goods and services New energy, skills, ideas and resources Support and use public institutions Retention of local generational wealth

Why Target Youth “E” Talent? Youth currently in your community may well represent your greatest resource for economic growth and community sustainability. The challenge is to: engage these youth, equip them with the skills and knowledge to be successful, and then support them and their enterprising ventures.

How do communities involve youth? Do to Youth Do for Youth Do with Youth Skateboard Zoning Teen Center Youth Events Trash Cleanup College Scholarships Decision Making Focus on Stars and Ignore Other Youth Tell Youth the Right Way to Do Things Listen and Support Youth Discovery

Getting Educators Involved

Youth Engagement System Engage Entrepreneurial Education & Career Development Youth Involvement & Leadership in Community Equip Community Support of Youth & Enterprises Support

Entrepreneur. Ship Investigation ESI) (4 -H

Thinking Outside the Box Retreat 14

Welcome Back Home Exercise 15

Norfolk Area Recruiters Over 30 Families in 3 Years 16