Brooklyn Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene, chairman of the City Council’s Youth Services Committee, has sponsored legislation calling on the city to create what he described as “a disconnected youth task force.”
Eugene, who represents the 40th Council District in Brooklyn, said the group will examine the challenges that prevent young men and women, age 16 – 24, from enrolling in school or being employed.
He said the task force will comprise 25 members, including representatives from city agencies, such as the Department of Education, the Agency for Children’s Services, the Human Resources Administration, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Department of Homeless Services.
Additionally, Eugene said six members will be appointed by the Mayor and a similar number by the Speaker of the City Council.
He said the task force will provide the mayor and the speaker a report that includes an analysis of what obstacles prevent disconnected youth from obtaining the education and skills employers require, and the policies and programs that affect their progress towards career success.
“This important legislation will help us improve the services we are providing to young people, especially disconnected youth,” Eugene said.
“According to the last census, we have about 172,000 disconnected youth — young men and women who are not in school and are not working,” he added. “We always say that the next generation is the future of this city; and, because of that, we are obligated to do everything that we can do to provide them with the best opportunities that they need to become productive citizens.”
Eugene said the task force will be part of his “continued advocacy for giving disadvantaged young men and women new opportunities for career advancement.”
