Welcome to the Flint & Genesee County Opportunity Youth Coalition

A collaborative community dedicated to creating positive change for Opportunity Youth (16-24 year-olds disengaged from school and work). The Opportunity Youth Coalition (OYC), brings together over 25+ local organizations, each committed to building and scaling reconnection pathways for young adults aged 16-24.

Our Mission: At the heart of the OYC is the mission to achieve better outcomes in education, employment, and overall well-being for Opportunity Youth. The OYC strives to make a lasting impact on individual lives and contribute to the broader social and economic fabric for the young people currently disengaged from work and education in Genesee County (MI).

What We Offer:

  • Diverse Collaborations: Connect with over 25 local organizations, each contributing unique strengths and perspectives.

  • Collective Impact: Join a network that believes in the power of collective impact, leveraging partnerships to enhance access to vital resources and opportunities.

  • Empowerment: Work towards building pathways that empower Opportunity Youth to realize their full potential and achieve financial success and independence.

Help Us Measure Our Collective Impact!

The Opportunity Youth Coalition is preparing our annual report, and we need your help to show the power of our work together! We’re inviting our partners to voluntarily submit data on the youth you’ve served—this helps us:

✅ Show the reach of our collective efforts
✅ Identify service gaps
✅ Advocate for stronger support and funding

If your organization supports youth through education, employment, or connection services, please take a few minutes to complete this brief form. We’re asking for basic numbers about youth served in your programs and the outcomes achieved.

Data Submission Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0JOMhJZ2jRcwI9dMdEGyI7h7e9yosgwclQV2WdDGBcIGOeA/viewform

For questions, contact Tiffany at tiffany@engageflint.com or 810-545-7070.

Community Happenings

GEARup4Success Conference

Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

GEARup2Lead invites OYC members to participate as a vendor at their annual GEARup4Success event. This year, we’re taking it outside and teaming up with the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament!

This year’s event will feature a vibrant resource fair, games, music, prizes, and raffles, all designed to connect young people and families with tools for education, employment, and personal success. You can expect a high-energy crowd with over 1,000 people expected to attend!

Vendor sign-up deadline is July 14th! To register as a vendor, click here. Visit gearupflint.com/conference for more information.

SIGN-UP for Crossover Outreach’s BACK TO SCHOOL program will officially begin on July 1st, 2025! 

NEED TO KNOW AND REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR SIGNUP:

· Parents MUST show MDHHS verification paperwork showing the children on their case

· Parents MUST know their children’s clothing and shoe sizes AS WELL AS what school they’ll be attending in the fall

· Program is for kids entering Kindergarten through 5th Grade in Fall of 2025 ONLY (no pre-K or middle/high school)

· Sign-up is first come-first served

PARENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIGN KIDS UP WITHOUT ALL OF THE ABOVE LISTED INFORMATION!

Please share as spaces fill up fast!

Voices for Children

Check out their Music Therapy & Youth Financial Health Workshops!

More about Voices for Children: Voices for Children Advocacy Center serves as a voice and an advocate for children throughout Genesee and Shiawassee Counties. Voices for Children Advocacy Center serves (1) child victims of abuse and neglect and their families (including human trafficking), (2) with prevention for children in Genesee and Shiawassee Counties, and (3) advocacy for the well-being of the child.

Voices for Children is dedicated to building healthy relationships and provides a continuum of services for persons of all ages who have been, or are at risk of being, victims of child abuse or neglect. Our agency's model is grounded in a strengths-based, empowerment philosophy and incorporates best practices and evidence-based strategies.

All of our services are completely free to the family. Voices for Children Advocacy Center creates a vital link between community services and victims of child abuse. The email address is info@voicesforcac.org.

The Flint & Genesee County Opportunity Youth Coalition is a proud member of the Aspen Institute’s Opportunity Youth Forum.

Learn more here: https://www.aspencommunitysolutions.org/opportunity-youth-forum/

Meeting Recaps:

How to Get Involved:

Are you passionate about creating opportunities for young adults to thrive? Join us in our mission! Whether you represent an organization, business, or community initiative, your contribution can make a significant difference. Reach out to us to explore partnership opportunities and learn more about how you can be part of the Opportunity Youth Coalition: Tiffany Rouser at tiffany@engageflint.com or 810-545-7070.

Together, let's create a future where every young person has the chance to succeed and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant society.