Far too often students leave school without having the authentic experiences they need to help them navigate the world. Too many skills are taught in isolation and students do not see the connection between what they learn in the classroom to what they need in real life. At the same time, Kansas City faces a shortage of innovative workers because many of our young people don’t recognize the opportunities available to them within our region.
Kansas City is the prime location to increase capacity in trade, people, and ideas, yet young adults do not see this opportunity. The Crossroads Community Collaborative (CCC) will supply talent to local businesses and organizations by providing integrated learning opportunities and equipping students with employable skills. CCC students will give back to their community by solving real problems and completing real projects that meet industry needs.
Our youth civic engagement activities are critical for empowering young people to develop their skills and talents; participate in political, economic and social conversations; and become agents of positive change in their communities. Our goal is to become a proof-point in how communities can build a transformational learning system that contributes to the overall sustainability of the area.