The Working Cities Challenge was started by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to improve the lives of lower-income people in small- and mid-size cities through cross-sector collaboration and leadership.
In Connecticut, five cities participated in the Working Cities Challenge – including Hartford. The Hartford Working Cities’ (HWC) vision is for Hartford to be a place where young adults:
- Have the skills and talents needed by local and regional business;
- Contribute to the city’s economy; and,
- Raise families who are economically secure and enjoy a good quality of life.
This initiative focuses on increasing employment rates of young adults, particularly opportunity youth (those who are not currently in school or working), in targeted neighborhoods in Hartford.
HWC addresses a few key challenges:
- Lack of awareness: Many young adults are unaware of career paths and need help finding opportunities to develop essential skills.
- Service delivery system challenges: There are many programs to help young adults get the preparation services and training they need, but they are often offered in isolation from other services that would accelerate progress toward improved employment outcomes.
- Employer policies and practices: Barriers to hiring and retaining young adults include policies and practices that limit young adults’ exposure to their opportunities; and/or otherwise exclude them from consideration.
- Young adults are often excluded from decision-making by community leaders.
United Way is partnering with community leaders to address these challenges through three projects: The Career Navigation Community of Practice, Hartford Workforce Leaders Academy and Young Legends.
