I Am Empowered - I am the National Urban League

What is the Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP)?

The Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP) – a Signature Program of the National Urban League (NUL) – started as an innovative demonstration to provide work readiness preparation, internships and on-the-job training to youth ages 16-24 who are not in school and are seen as “at-risk.” The goal of UYEP is to reduce the risks that these young people face, such as long-term unemployment and incarceration. The U.S. Department of Labor endorsed NUL’s creative approach, granting the program $29.3 million from 2003 – 2009, plus an additional $2 million in 2010 to continue the model.

As a result of this funding, NUL and its affiliate network have developed UYEP into a comprehensive program featuring intensive services and successful partnerships with faith based and other community based organizations.

Youth participants in UYEP have the following characteristics:
• African Americans – 85%, Hispanics – 7%, White – 6%, Other – 2%
• Male – 53%, Female 47%
• Dropouts – 80%, Ex-offenders – 40%
• Homeless – 10%
• Average Entry Reading – 8.7, Percent Entry Level Reading Below 7th Grade – 23%
• Average Entry Math – 7.9, Percent Entry Level Math Below 7th Grade – 37%

Where is it?

Since 2003, the program has been implemented by 27 affiliates in 20 states. During the 2010 continuation program, UYEP operated in the following seven sites:

Greater Baltimore Urban League
www.bul.org

Birmingham Urban League
http://www.birminghamurbanleague.net/ProgramsandServices.asp

Urban League of Broward County
http://www.ulbroward.org/YPN

Lorain County Urban League
http://www.lcul.org/#

Los Angeles Urban League
http://laulyp.com/

Tri-County Urban League
http://www.mcleanul.org/index_files/Page310.htm

Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
http://www.ulpgh.org/programs/aaldp.asp

How big is it?

Over 4,000 older youth have participated since 2003. In 2010, 312 older youth participated in the program in seven sites.

What have UYEP participants achieved?

During 2010, 54.2% of UYEP participants obtained their high school diplomas or GEDs, while only 13% experienced recidivism. A 2009 study of UYEP  showed that, compared to UYEP participants, similar youth who did not complete UYEP were half as likely to obtain diplomas or GEDs and twice as likely to return to the criminal justice system. The success stories of UYEP participants are truly inspirational. Here are just a few:

• A close friend’s tragic death served as a vital wake up call for Malcolm. Now he’s a student at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, majoring in education... Read more

• Lea was referred to UYEP by the court system. Becoming a GED graduate was one of her greatest pleasures... Read more

• Jessie gained control of his attitude, discipline, and anger issues. Now he’s working for Affina as a Customer Service Representative making $9.25 per hour... Read more

Who sponsors UYEP?

U.S. Department of Labor