Christina Grant, Assistant Superintendent of the Opportunity/Innovation Network at the School District of Philadelphia, leads a discussion group at the Sixth Annual Reengagement Plus! Convening in Philadelphia last month. (Photo credit: Indira Jimenez)
Last month, the National League of Cities partnered with the Philadelphia Youth Network, the National Youth Employment Coalition, and the School District of Philadelphia in hosting the Sixth Annual Reengagement Plus! Convening in Philadelphia, focusing on “From Reengagement to Postsecondary”.
Attendees, including experts and novices in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, connected through site visits and discussion sessions to discuss activating strategies geared towards reengagement and secondary & postsecondary credentialing. Through site visits to Philadelphia-area reengagement centers and programs and participating in discussion sessions, passion intersected purpose in efforts to address disconnected youth.
Thoughts and insights were not only robust among the physical meeting, but also virtually via Twitter, where attendees and partners shared statistics, photos, and revelations.
Take a look at how the digital conversation played out below:
Reengagement by NLC’s Andrew O. Moore gathers findings and insights from practitioners, policy analysts and young people linked to this emerging field. Learn more here https://t.co/vco210ROf4 #Reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/LIZzyt0ft5
— National League of Cities (@leagueofcities) March 19, 2018
@PYNinc’s @SGambone welcoming partners to #PHL today for the Sixth National #Reengagement2018 convening. Getting started! pic.twitter.com/g6GqipB290
— Debra Lipenta Michael (@DebraLMichael) March 19, 2018
Attending the #Reengagement2018 conference in Philly, focused on connecting disengaged 16 – 22 year olds in education & work. Actively stifling my irritation with the word "youth". #wkdev
— SusannaDW (@SusannaDW) March 19, 2018
Our morning kicks off with an overview of the Philadelphia Reengagement Strategy featuring Richette Walton, Brendan Conlin @Congreso1977, Dr. David Thomas @CCPedu, Dr. Pamela Thomas @OICofAmerica, and Christina Grant @PHLschools #Reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/nV6G9xYBIu
— National League of Cities (@leagueofcities) March 19, 2018
We are happy to cohost with @leagueofcities the 6th #Reengagement2018 convening of national partners who support youth in secondary advancement and post-secondary success. @PhiladelphiaDHS @PHLschools @CCPedu pic.twitter.com/yxxsfosE9D
— Chekemma Townsend (@chekemma) March 19, 2018
Hearing from participants in @JEVSHumanServs Project WOW program during the AM site visits. #reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/gU91k6G5S4
— Farrah Farnese Roma (@FarrahFRoma) March 19, 2018
A new orientation cycle starts today at one of the @JEVSHumanServs E3 center in downtown Philadelphia #Postsecondary #Reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/Qw77s0nj67
— National League of Cities (@leagueofcities) March 19, 2018
Youth disconnection rates on average by region: 19.3% in rural counties, 12.9% in urban centers, and 11.3% in suburbs. Learn more about the rural-urban divide in the latest @MOA_org report https://t.co/fZDZf3HHM8 #Reengagement2018
— National League of Cities (@leagueofcities) March 19, 2018
Kristen Lewis opens lunch with the release of the latest @MOA_org report #Reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/dkv8WhgXDT
— National League of Cities (@leagueofcities) March 19, 2018
Youth disconnection rates have declined, but there's still a gap. African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately higher in every state where data was available. Check out more of these stats in the latest @MOA_org report #Reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/v870x4N9oB
— The Philadelphia Youth Network (@PYNinc) March 19, 2018
Sharing with us that Parental Engagement is correlated with high student retention in High School! #Reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/wg2avyzJwY
— Chekemma Townsend (@chekemma) March 19, 2018
#opportunityyouth sharing experiences and their journey, this must be about transformation. @ShaniceSpeaks @Lashon_YB @PYNinc @TheNYEC @leagueofcities #Reengagement2018
— Kisha Bird (@KishaKBird) March 19, 2018
“Reengagement without postsecondary is counterproductive” @chekemma of @PYNinc kicks off the second day of the Reengagement Plus! Convening in Philadelphia #Reengagement2018 #Postsecondary pic.twitter.com/w9aqbuTKFA
— National League of Cities (@leagueofcities) March 20, 2018
.@SDPHite describes the “opportunity network” in Philadelphia at #Reengagement2018 @leagueofcities @PYNinc pic.twitter.com/GVE03mye1F
— NYEC (@TheNYEC) March 20, 2018
“The children in the Philadelphia school system are our children and we need to take care of them” @PhillyMayor at the Reengagement Plus! Convening #Reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/dSgj3vcGpz
— National League of Cities (@leagueofcities) March 20, 2018
•#Project U-Turn is an alliance of community leaders and top-level officials aiming to raise #PHL’s grad rates and drive the city's reengagement strategy. Read more in their renewed commitment https://t.co/5zhxE0SBuv #Reengagement2018 @SDPHite @PYNinc pic.twitter.com/yE62zz96OF
— Philadelphia DHS (@PhiladelphiaDHS) March 20, 2018
What are best practices to reengage young people dealing with these traumatizing barriers? Great discussion on #traumainformedcare with @hopeworkscamden #Reengagement2018 pic.twitter.com/ohNTYS2KSy
— Michelle is UNCORNERED✊🏽 (@MichCaldeira) March 20, 2018
While this year’s convening has passed, it’s not too late to join the Reengagement Network. The Reengagement Network helps participants stay informed about developments in the reengagement field and share their insights with others through communities. If you are interested in equipping your city’s youth the tools to reconnect, complete high school and venture on to postsecondary opportunities, join the Reengagement Network.
About the Author: Indira Jimenez is the Associate of Communications in NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families.