FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2022
CONTACT Elizabeth Gorenbergh elizabeth@ryasap.org 203.579.2727 Stacy Graham-Hunt stacy@narrative-project.com 203.843.5991
City of Bridgeport, RYASAP, and GBSLE to Host National League of Cities to Kick Off Youth Excel Initiative Aimed at Increasing Accessibility to STEM Career Pathways to City’s Youth
Today, April 12, 2022 | Margaret E Morton Government Center | 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Bridgeport, CT – The Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP), alongside the City of Bridgeport, the Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem (GBSLE) coordinated by the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, and the National League of Cities (NLC), is set to kick off the Youth Excel Initiative on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 9:30 AM.
Youth Excel: Cities Advancing Equitable Youth Economic Recovery and Empowerment aims to increase accessibility to STEM career pathways for interested youth and young adults living in underfunded and under-resourced communities.
The event will include an overview of Youth Excel, a discussion with Mayor Joseph P. Ganim about the city’s vision for the program and each organization will have an opportunity to speak about their contribution to the initiative.
Bridgeport is one of six cities across the nation to receive grants of $150,000, along with specialized assistance from NLC’s staff and other national experts to advance the city’s efforts to expand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) career pathways for young people marginalized from quality education and career opportunities.
Bridgeport is Connecticut's largest city, with a child poverty rate of 40.2% as of 2019 and a 77% graduation rate in 2021. Meanwhile, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that occupations in STEM fields are expected to grow 8% by 2029, compared with 3.7% for all occupations.
The Youth Excel initiative runs from January 2022 through June 2023 and is generously supported by the Siemens Foundation. You can learn more at: https://www.nlc.org/initiative/youth-excel.
WHAT:
Youth Excel Initiative Kick Off
WHO:
National League of Cities
City of Bridgeport
Greater Bridgeport STEM Learning Ecosystem (GBSLE)
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP)
WHEN: TODAY, Tuesday, April 12th 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Setting the Vision: Discussion with Mayor Ganim will take place at 10:00 am WHERE: Margaret E Morton Government Center Mayor’s Conference Room 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport CT
# # #
ABOUT RYASAP Established in 1985 and serving the greater Bridgeport region, RYASAP (Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership) works to ensure the safe and healthy development of youth, young adults, and families by actively engaging organizations, public officials, and community leaders around issues that matter most to the community.