FIRE-Works

 

​     Firefleye Inc.’s Focused Interventions for Rehabilitation and Education Works (FIRE-Works) program addresses significant barriers faced by minority youth in the greater Kansas City area through enhanced out-of-school time (OST) activities. In Kansas City, Missouri, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth face significantly higher unemployment rates compared to their white peers. The jobless rate for Black youth (ages 16-24) often exceeds 20%, which is double that of white youth. Educational disparities exacerbate this issue, with Black students having a high school graduation rate of 75% and Hispanic students 80%, compared to 89% for white students. Additionally, BIPOC youth are more likely to come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with 35% of children in Kansas City living below the poverty line, significantly increasing their risk of involvement in criminal activities. The COVID-19 pandemic further widened these gaps, with BIPOC communities experiencing higher rates of job loss. Youth intervention programs like FIRE-Works effectively address these challenges by providing education, job training, and leadership development, boasting a 70% job placement rate for participants. These programs not only improve individual outcomes but also contribute to economic benefits for communities, making a compelling case for increased funding to support workforce development for BIPOC youth.

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