building brighter futures for
opportunity youth
We’re a coalition of education and workforce leaders committed to reconnecting young people with the pathways and support they deserve. Together, we’re working to transform systems so every young person has a real chance to thrive.
who are opportunity youth?
In every corner of California, from bustling cities like Los Angeles to smaller communities across the state, there are young people filled with potential but facing systemic barriers that keep them disconnected from school and work. These young people are known as Opportunity Youth (OY), and at OYSC, we believe their disconnection is not a personal failure— it's a signal that our systems must do better.
OY are between the ages of 16 and 24 and are not currently enrolled in school or participating in the workforce. As of 2021, more than 570,000 young Californians fell into this category. That's 1 in 8 young people, or a 12.5% disconnection rate—a sharp 19% increase since 2019. These numbers are more than data points; they're a call to action.
Behind every percentage lies a story. A student who had to drop out to care for a sibling. A young adult who aged out of foster care without a safety net. A teen who never saw themselves reflected in traditional pathways to success. While their stories differ, they share a common truth: the system wasn't built with them in mind.
The Reality They Face
Disconnection is not random—it mirrors the inequities embedded in our society. More than half of California's OY are Hispanic or Latino (55%). A similar proportion is male (54%). Nearly 40% come from very low-income households, living below 150% of the federal poverty line. And while over 80% have earned a high school diploma, opportunities for advancement often end there.
The odds stack higher for young adults ages 20-24 and for Black youth, who face some of the highest disconnection rates in the state. In many counties, particularly large urban areas, the number of disconnected youth is rising faster than anywhere else.
But none of this is inevitable.
Why We Say Opportunity Youth
We deliberately choose the term "Opportunity Youth" (OY). We see their potential, not just their current circumstances. They are not a problem to fix; they are a community to invest in. When supported with the right policies, programs, and resources, these young people don't just catch up—they leap forward.
our Mission
The Opportunity Youth Schools Coalition (OYSC) exists to ensure that OY are no longer overlooked but empowered. Our mission is to reconnect young people to education, employment, and purpose through policy, partnerships, and innovation. We work to dismantle systemic barriers and replace them with clear, supported pathways to success. Success means fewer young people falling through the cracks—and more thriving in school, work, and life. This work is urgent; youth disconnection is rising, and with it, the risk of lifelong hardship and inequality.
The time to act is now because when young people rise, California rises with them.
our impact
The Opportunity Youth Schools Coalition (OYSC) exists to ensure that OY are no longer overlooked but empowered. Our mission is to reconnect young people to education, employment, and purpose through policy, partnerships, and innovation. We work to dismantle systemic barriers and replace them with clear, supported pathways to success. Success means fewer young people falling through the cracks—and more thriving in school, work, and life. This work is urgent; youth disconnection is rising, and with it, the risk of lifelong hardship and inequality.
Meet Our Partners
