FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct 12, 2011

Washington, D.C. – The White House Council for Community Solutions will meet Friday to discuss the importance of cross-sector engagements as a means to advance communities in need, specifically looking at reconnecting youth to education and the workforce.

The White House Council for Community Solutions was created with the goal of advancing President Obama’s domestic agenda to win the future by out-educating, out-innovating, and out-building our way to a stronger economy.

The Council believes that the best interventions and supports are often not just provided by programs or professionals but are also often the result of families and neighbors helping each other; successful collective impact efforts must include the voice of youth and families, as well as other public and private sector community partners to create sustainable solutions for their communities. Specifically, the Council’s focus will be finding the best ways to prepare our nation’s youth for the jobs of the future.

The meeting will feature Melody Barnes, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, who will discuss how the work of the Council ties in with other Administration priorities. Barnes will be joined by Council Chair Patty Stonesifer and other Council Members will present the emerging framework for recommendations to catalyze an “all hands on deck” approach.

Council Member John Bridgeland, President & CEO of Civic Enterprises, will present the findings of a third-party National Youth Survey designed to provide a better understanding of the educational and employment challenges faced by America’s youth. The survey results complement findings from recent listening sessions with youth, youth serving organizations and other stakeholders that serve as a basis for the Council’s recommendations.

Also featured at the Council meeting will be a panel discussion with Council Members Maurice Lim Miller, Founder, CEO and President of the Family Independence Initiative; Paula Boggs, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Starbucks Coffee Company; Paul Schmitz, National CEO of Public Allies; and Bill Strickland, Founder and CEO of Manchester Craftsmen's Guild. Three young people will also share their stories and solutions.

The meeting will be webcast live on Friday, October 14 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern at https://www.whitehouse.gov/live.

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