New Youth Initiative in Dubuque

Dubuque has joined over 100 cities across the nation in accepting the “My Brother’s Keeper” Community Challenge.  The initiative, launched this fall by President Obama, challenges communities to ensure that efforts to support youth in meeting their potential are effectively reaching those youth most at risk, particularly young men of color.

Dubuque Mayor Roy D. Buol noted that the challenge is consistent with Dubuque’s efforts to ensure a more livable, viable, and equitable community for all.  Specifically, the challenge encourages communities to focus on efforts around these six goals:

• All children enter school cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally ready
• All children read at grade level by third grade
• All youth graduate from high school
• All youth complete post-secondary education or training
• All youth out of school are employed
• All youth remain safe from violent crime

City of Dubuque Human Rights Director Kelly Larson is the local point of contact for the My Brother’s Keeper Challenge and is working in tandem with local organizations serving youth in order to facilitate continuous communication.  Contact her for additional information at 563-589-4190 or klarson@cityofdubuque.org.  For additional background on the national program, visit www.whitehouse.gov/my-brothers-keeper.