For young people, however, our part of the state is quickly becoming the Forgotten Corner. It’s happening before our eyes, on our watch. We can’t afford to stay quiet any longer. We have an obligation to act, and to act immediately.
New research published at the end of last year by Dalio Education reveals a statewide crisis: 63,000 young people in Connecticut between the ages of 14 to 26 are not engaged in school or work, not on track for gainful employment, or both, while another 17,000 are at the greatest risk for experiencing disconnection.
These young individuals, often constrained by limited options, exhibit remarkable resilience in their efforts to overcome adversities.
Connecticut is in crisis: 119,000 young people aged 14 to 26, in every city and town, are either disengaged or disconnected from education and jobs or soon will be. These young people simultaneously represent a currently missed opportunity and one that can still be realized. They also are human beings who deserve love, and many chances to succeed, just like we received as young people.