IEL will invest in the expansion of the Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Initiative to provide jobs, education and training, mentorship, leadership development and supportive services
WASHINGTON D.C. – July 2, 2024 – The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is honored to be one of 14 organizations to receive a Growth Opportunities grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Totaling $47 Million in funds, the grants will support job training and supportive services in high crime and high poverty communities. Focusing on improving job opportunities and removing structural barriers for transition-aged youth (ages 18 – 24) in such communities, IEL has been awarded $5.1 Million from these funds to implement our Right Turn Program with four partners: Goodwill Industries of Houston in Houston, TX; Greater Miami Service Corp in Miami, FL; Lawrence Hall in Chicago, IL; and Playa Vista Job Opportunities and Business Service in Los Angeles, CA, which will cumulatively serve 480 youth.
IEL’s Right Turn Career Focused Transition Initiative (Right Turn) provides individualized education, training, and workforce development opportunities by engaging youth in a three-phase career development process that includes self-exploration, career exploration, and career planning and management. Youth meet regularly with program staff, mentors, and other caring adults to develop and implement an Individualized Career Development Plan (ICDP). IEL provides youth serving organizations and professionals with technical assistance, professional development, and capacity-building tools to improve workforce outcomes in their communities.
“There are 4.6 million youth and young adults in America who are not in school or working right now,” said Eddie Koen, IEL’s president. “With the gracious support of the Department of Labor, IEL is excited to once again implement Right Turn programming in key communities that have not received the resources they need to help set youth up for success in today’s workforce.”
IEL has identified four high-poverty, high-crime sites across four states in which we will partner to improve workforce outcomes for 480 justice-involved young adults who are most impacted by community violence. Each site will implement the program model, including web-based Individualized Career Development Plans, career-focused mentoring, occupational skills training, work experiences, credentials, placements, career pathways, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, leadership development, conflict resolution skills, and wrap-around, legal, and supportive services.
“Building on our deep community partnerships in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago, our team is eager to serve more youth and young adults in need of access, support and opportunities, who deserve every opportunity to thrive,” said Ebony Watson, IEL’s Vice President of Youth Leadership and Transition Initiatives. “Together, we have proven success in improving access to quality education and employment. This grant enables us to continue our mission!”
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About the Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Initiative
(Right Turn) provides a career development process for youth that are involved with or at risk of becoming involved with the justice system. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA) and led by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), Right Turn is being implemented in high-crime and high-poverty communities across the country by non-profit and local organizations with expertise in career development, education, mentoring, workforce development, youth development, juvenile justice, and disability.
About IEL
At the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), we change systems through people. Everything we do is aimed at lifting up underserved leaders and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to transform their communities through education, with equity-driven solutions. By cultivating strong local leadership capacity across all levels, we can drive meaningful change for communities, families, and children.
We approach the communities we work alongside with “love in action.” That means listening to our partners and colleagues and adapting our practices based on what we learn together, and what works best.
Media Contacts:
Mia Calys: calysm@iel.org