Louisiana's Youth are the Future of our State.
We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive. Adolescence is a time of discovery, growth and connection, but some youth face steep climbs due to systemic barriers. When young people are plugged into work, school and community, they succeed. In Louisiana, nearly 1 in 6 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are not plugged into work or school. We call this population Opportunity Youth. LOYAL serves as a partner on their journey, working to ensure Opportunity Youth have access to the relationships, resources and opportunities they need to find their footing and flourish.
Together, we’re building a future where all young people can contribute to and benefit from strong, connected communities.
over 10%
of young people
––––––
and 25%
of young Black men
––––––
who are not plugged in are involved in the justice system & living in an institution
Young women who are not plugged in are
3x more
likely to be
mothers
16% of youth
who are not plugged in
live with a
disability of
some kind
1 in 6
young people
between the ages of
16 and 24
in louisiana are not plugged into work or school
Young women who are not plugged in are
3x more
likely to be
mothers
16% of youth
who are not
plugged in
live with a
disability of
some kind
Plugging in Opportunity Youth across our state
LOYAL (Louisiana Opportunity Youth Alliance) is a statewide network of direct service providers and advocacy organizations working to ensure that the state’s policies and institutions support the needs of Louisiana’s Opportunity Youth. We connect grassroots community organizations and policymakers to help them design responsive policies that meet the needs of Louisiana’s youth. Our focus is on creating a stronger connective fabric to support all young people as they transition from school to the workforce.
Building a Louisiana that
works for opportunity youth
Louisiana’s youth are the future of our state. And investing in them pays off. Connecting young people to opportunity through work and school will drive our economy for years to come.
By investing in economic security measures, wrap-around social services, workforce development, and educational pathways, Louisiana policymakers can help Opportunity Youth reconnect by building a Louisiana that allows all our young people to thrive.
Invest in Economic Security
All young people—including and especially Opportunity Youth—need to be connected to financial resources as they enter adulthood. Youth need higher wages, a more expansive Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, and paid sick days and family and medical leave. Louisiana has the second highest poverty rate in the nation, with some 829,565 Louisianans, or 18.6% of residents, living at or below the federal poverty rate in 2022. The state also has the third-highest child poverty rate in the nation, with 24.4%, or 255,159, children facing poverty and economic insecurity
Invest in Wraparound Services
Opportunity Youth are navigating particularly difficult terrain as they move toward adulthood. That’s why we need to equip them for the journey with additional supplies, such as financial aid, stable housing, and accessible healthcare. We believe that investment in digital equity, transit, mental health, and housing helps young people re-engage with work and/or educational opportunities. Policymakers should invest in equitable broadband investments and device availability, free transit with regional connectivity and rural transit investment, increased mental health supports in education and workforce programming, and more affordable housing units and increased rental protections.
Invest in Career Pathways
Some young people have an especially hard time finding their footing as they navigate towards adulthood. Investing in workforce programs, educational certificates and credentialing can help Opportunity Youth develop skills and connect with jobs across the state. Increasing investment in workforce programs and educational certificates and credentialing can help Opportunity Youth develop skills and connect with jobs across the state. However, after exiting high school, many young adults face a confusing and disjointed adult credentialing and workforce development programmatic landscape. It is often difficult for adults not enrolled in an associate, technical, or bachelor’s program to string together requirements for certifications or degrees. By improving information sharing between K-12 institutions, community colleges, and potential employers, and advocating for increased funding for adult education, we can avoid youth disconnection and provide opportunities for Louisiana’s young people to reconnect and engage in the workforce through sequenced adult career pathways.
Where to
Get Started
Louisiana's Opportunity Youth Population
That's 3,600 more than a packed New Orleans Superdome
Research
Our Research Library is your go-to hub for research and resources that can help you create, enhance, and promote programs and policies that offer pathways to success and economic prosperity for all Louisiana youth.
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