Juma youth engage in an innovative program that integrates employment in social enterprises, college preparation, financial literacy and matched savings accounts. Juma's comprehensive, award-winning program empowers low-income youth to transcend challenging circumstances, fulfill their inherent potential and positively impact their communities.

Youth Context & Need

When children grow up in poverty, they are more likely as adults to have low earnings, which increases the likelihood that they will remain poor and, in turn, raise their children in poverty. Low productivity in the workforce and the price of poverty translate into an economic cost to society.

Nationally, individuals who do not possess a high school diploma earn an average of $18,734 annually, compared with $27,915 for those with a high school diploma, and $51,206 for those with a bachelors degree (ibid). Higher education is a proven pathway out of poverty and yet only 47% of low-income youth who graduate from high school enter a university or college (compared to 85% in the top income quartile), and only 20% complete their degree (Pathways to College Network).

Juma's youth face multiple barriers to success in adulthood:
• 18% have been arrested;
• 30% have at least one family member in jail;
• 20% are foster youth;
• 23% are on academic probation; and
• 61% are from single-family households.

Most notably, despite the challenges facing Juma youth, they also possess significant assets. They are resilient, positive and determined in pursuing their goals and navigating challenges, demonstrating tremendous promise and success when provided with opportunities to excel.