Opportunity Summit is back Thursday, April 12 at Town & Country San Diego in Mission Valley. The theme this year is “Initiate,” from the proverb “If the youth are not initiated into the village, they will burn it down just to feel its warmth.” A rockstar lineup of experts and young adults will take the stage to discuss solutions to reduce the number of youth ages 16–24 who are not working or in school in San Diego County. A brief summary of the plenary and breakout sessions are below. For full descriptions and program info, click the button below to download the full agenda.
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Morning plenary
Youth Voice, Leader Choice: Creating Youth-Centered Systems
Youth share their personal experiences alongside a leader who has helped create systemic change that impacts young adults.
Morning breakout
Connecting with the Disconnected: Using Social Branding to Engage Youth
Learn lessons from two breakthrough and culturally relevant engagement campaigns that use cutting edge marketing strategies to reach young adults.
Don’t Be Trapped! Cleaner Records, Marijuana Legalization and Upcoming Reforms to Sever the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Landing a job is tough when you have a criminal record. This session will discuss recent criminal justice reforms that aim to reduce this factor of youth disconnection.
Along for the Ride: Advocacy for Youth Transportation Options
Quality jobs, education and training are often far from where young adults live. Learn advocacy strategies to increase youth access to transportation options, including transit passes.
Lunchtime plenary
District 4 Supervisor Candidate Forum moderated by Scott Lewis
Hear directly from candidates running for county supervisor in San Diego County’s District 4. The dialogue will include questions crafted and asked by the Opportunity Youth Leadership Council.
Afternoon breakout
In Their Own Voice: Ending the Silence on Youth Mental Health
Mental health is an under-addressed indicator of youth disconnection, partly due to stigma. Through testimony and case studies, become part of the movement to end the stigma around mental health.
Bridging the Gap: Promises, Pathways and Partnerships Between K–12 and Higher Ed to Reduce Pipeline Leakage
Explore partnerships that help students navigate the transition between high school and higher education and motivate young people to pursue post-secondary degrees and certificates.
Leveling the Playing Field
Rockstar employers share transformative hiring practices, how to build inclusive communities and how to provide pathways for young adults to succeed.
Afternoon plenary
Work for Youth in America’s Dynamic Labor Market
Where does San Diego lead the way and how can we work even more effectively to meet our “cut the rate and halve the gap” goals?