Ready by 21 is an innovative approach from the Forum for Youth Investment that helps communities improve the odds that all children and youth will be ready for life, college, and work. The Deer Isle/Stonington/Sedgwick Ready by 21 Coalition is using these tools to develop a pipeline of supports from cradle to career. We work together to ensure that every young person:
• is prepared for a healthy l
ife and healthy relationships,
• has the skills needed for productive employment,
• will be a lifelong learner, either through college or other training. Ready by 21 coordinates and mobilizes efforts to support youth development in Deer Isle, Stonington and Sedgwick. Our community already has many excellent programs for young people. We are working to strengthen existing resources, identify gaps where we need more support, and implement new programs for children and youth. The Ready by 21 Steering Committee, co-chaired by Rebecca Emerson and Amy Vaughn, serves as the coordinating body and meets monthly. This committee includes all three school principals (Todd West, Mike Benjamin, and Don Buckingham), community leaders, teachers, parents, students, and representatives of community organizations. In October of 2012, Ready by 21 launched a mentoring program in response to community identified needs and priorities. Kyra Alex serves as the Director of Mentoring and can be reached at [email protected].
