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MEMBERS OF WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS – JON BON JOVI AND MICHAEL KEMPNER – CONDUCT FINAL YOUTH LISTENING SESSION IN NEWARK, NJ

Monday’s session was hosted at the Youth Education & Employment Success (Ye²s) Centers of New Jersey and attended by the youth they serve. Youth served by other local organizations also participated, including Newark Now, HELP USA, La Casa de Don Pedro and Newark Works (City One-Stop). In New Orleans (4/29), youth attended from local organizations Café Reconcile, Liberty’s Kitchen, Youth Empowerment Project and Tulane Drop In Center. In Atlanta (5/13), youth attended who have been served by the Goodwill Career Center, Chris Kids and Visions Youth Leadership Academy. In Houston (5/16) youth served by SEARCH Homeless Houston, Goodwill Houston, Community in Schools and Gulf Coast Trades Center attended.

The Council’s findings will be compiled in a final report in an effort to highlight solutions and recommendations for the President.

Currently, less than half of young Americans have the education, training and skills needed to compete in today’s workforce by age 25. President Obama established the White House Council to bring all sectors together – individuals, business, community organizations, philanthropy, and government – to identify solutions to pressing issues, help young people succeed, and make lasting progress on our national priorities.

The Council listening tour adds to the White House’s broader effort to engage young people nationwide through youth roundtables. After the roundtables, youth participants can submit their most pressing issues and most inspiring solutions to the White House’s Your Future, Your Solutions: 100 Youth Strategies to Win the Future website at www.whitehouse.gov/youngamericans. This effort enables the administration to hear directly from young people about the challenges they face and connect participants with Obama Administration officials through conference calls, web chats, and other opportunities.

Established in December 2010 by President Obama, the White House Council for Community Solutions will focus on an issue with critical near-term and long-term consequences for our nation’s health and economic strength – the responsibility of our society to ensure adolescents and young adults are prepared to live productive and prosperous lives. The Council is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. More information about the WHCCS can be found at www.serve.gov/council.

****Your Future, Your Solutions: 100 Youth Strategies to Win the Future** is an effort that enables the administration to hear directly from young people about the challenges they face. The initiative connects participants with Obama Administration officials through conference calls, web chats, and other opportunities. For more information go to www.whitehouse.gov/youngamericans.