Why

For their life success, it is critical that youth have an adult to go to for support when they are facing a significant challenge. This caring connection increases mental health and makes it more likely that each youth graduates high school and has a good job by age 25.

• If a student fails a reading or math course in the middle grades, they are more likely to drop out of high school.
• The rational, decision-making part of the brain isn’t fully developed until around age 25; as such, it is important to support students well into young adulthood, and especially more vulnerable youth.
• Over 1 in 4 Weld County youth do not have a connection to a caring adult.

Challenges

In the United States, earning a high school diploma is perhaps the most important determinant of a person’s future. The median annual income of a high school dropout in 2020 was $32,188, compared with $40,612 for a high school graduate. In Weld County, more than 1 in 4 youth do not have a trusted adult that they can get assistance from when facing a challenge that they cannot handle on their own, putting their mental and even physical health at risk.

This situation is difficult for each student and is costly for our community. High school dropouts are more likely than those who graduate to be arrested or have a child while still a teenager, both of which incur additional financial and social costs. The current pool of qualified high school graduates is neither large enough nor skilled enough to supply our nation’s workforce.

Investments

Supporting young people, especially those who are vulnerable, is crucial since the rational part of the brain isn’t fully developed until around age 25. Having a caring adult to turn to during tough times significantly boosts mental health and increases the likelihood of graduating high school and finding stable employment by age 25, which is essential for their overall success in life.

What United Way Invests in:

• Boost learning and knowledge through after-school programs
• Physical and mental well-being and life skill development
• Helping students achieve their higher education goals
• Connections to support refugee and immigrant youth
• Providing STEM education
• Participation in recreation programs