MY TURN (America’s Youth Teenage Unemployment Reduction Network) helps low-income youth (ages 14 to 21) in three Northeast states – Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island – prepare for the workforce or continue their education. MY TURN’s staff work in school with students at risk of dropping out, as well as reach out and connect with youth who have already left high school without earning a diploma. Case managers from MY TURN assist young adults in completing high school or attaining their GED, and then in enrolling in post-secondary education or entering the workforce. MY TURN provides follow-up services for up to one year to help ensure participants’ success.

Evaluation Status: High-Level Apparent Effectiveness

MY TURN, with a long commitment to performance measurement, has undergone several evaluations of its school-to-work programs and shown positive results. MY TURN is currently undertaking an implementation study of its out-of-school services to understand better and improve the delivery of its programming. These efforts will help the organization prepare for a rigorous impact evaluation in the future.

EMCF Investment

Since 2003, the Foundation has invested $6.55 million in MY TURN to develop and implement its business plan. Based on the success the organization had in meeting its year three milestones a full year in advance, MY TURN began implementing the second phase of its business plan in 2006.

For more information, visit MY TURN’s website at www.my-turn.org.