Opportunity Youth Network (OYN)

In the middle of the committee floor at the New Jersey Statehouse sits a small group of young people preparing to share their stories for advocacy. Of them, LEAD Charter School Class of 2022 graduate, Yaneliz Cabrera, prepares to discuss her experience with disconnection.

From overlooked student to statewide youth voice coordinator. Yaneliz Cabrera, LEAD Class of 2023, is now the person young people turn to, because she's been exactly where they are. #OpportunityYouth #OYN

"You don't have to become someone else to succeed. You just have to refine who you already are." — Jasmine Joseph-Forman, Chief Program Officer at NOYN. Women's History Month – lifting up the women shaping Newark's future right now. #WomensHistoryMonth #OpportunityYouth #Newark

New data: NJ's youth disconnection rate rose from 9.4% → 9.9% in just one year — that's 104,400 young people ages 16–24 not in school and not working. This is a call to action. Read the brief from @MeasureofAmerica, in partnership with OYN and @NJOYC: shorturl.at/ARbzo

Newark youth are leading the research. LEAD grad Kevin Abel went from trainee to trainer as the NJ Youth Voices Initiative expands statewide. Youth across NJ are sharing the same experiences, and this work is just getting started. 🔗 Learn more: newarkyouthvoices.portal.cortico.ai

From Newark to the Network. 🔌 Meet Matthew, Xiomara, Zacore & Taj—LEAD Charter & YouthBuild Newark grads now splicing fiber optic cables and wiring Newark’s digital future. “They let you build your own legend.” — Zacore 🔗 newark-oyn.org/updates/fiber-… #OpportunityYouth #Newark

📣 You're invited! Celebrate Newark EMS Corps Cohort 3 Graduation on March 19, 2026, 12:30 PM at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Proud of our grads—future EMTs, paramedics & firefighters!🎉 This could be you! Learn more: newarkemscorps.org 🚑 #NewarkEMS #OpportunityYouth

March is Women's History Month! We're celebrating women leaders and changemakers, past and present. Thanks to those improving communities, turning advocacy into action, and inspiring change. We honor what they've built and their future success. #WomensHistoryMonth

Two years ago, Angie Rosa faced homelessness and depression as a young single mom. Her determination and support from multiple programs changed her life. “I want my daughter to see that I’m hardworking.” Read her story: newark-oyn.org/updates/andrer… #NOYN

𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻 (1941-2025) Honoring Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy. His coalition-building and youth empowerment inspire our work today. Youth-led advocacy is his legacy in action. #BlackHistoryMonth #CoalitionBuilding

Young adults 17-30: FREE HOPE Summit on March 12 at Rutgers Camden. Mock interviews, professional headshots, skills workshops & networking. Hosted by @hopeworkscamden, a NJOYC member org. Register: zurl.co/APM00 #OpportunityYouth #NJOYC

LEAD students joined the MLK Day of Service conference at @KeanUniversity, exploring Dr. King's legacy and how youth can lead change. Proud to see our students learning, connecting, and taking action for their communities! #MLKDay #LEADCharterSchool

✊🏾 Honoring Septima Clark, the “Mother of the Movement.” Her Citizenship Schools empowered 700,000+ Black voters & showed us: real change means building systems, not just programs. Her legacy guides our work today. #BlackHistoryMonth #Newark

Partnering with District 1199J on Allied Health pre-apprenticeships, we've helped youth earn healthcare credentials and secure good jobs. Now we’re expanding this hands-on, employer-connected model to more trades—same commitment, more opportunities. #OpportunityYouth #Newark

Employers: Join LEAD Charter School’s Career Expo! Meet motivated youth (16-21) seeking jobs & internships. Build your team and talent pipeline! 🗓️ Wed, April 1, 10AM–12PM 📍 Waterfront Recreation Center, Newark Questions: sortiz@leadcharterschool.org #CareerExpo #Newark

Celebrating leaders who fought for educational access & opportunity. Their legacy lives in our work: building pathways for opportunity youth, centering Black voices in policy. Black history is what we're building now ✨ #BlackHistoryMonth #OpportunityYouth

LEAD Charter School's charter is renewed for 5 more years! 🎉As NJ's first charter for opportunity youth, we help disconnected youth build futures through education, workforce credentials, and wraparound support. leadcharterschool.org/enroll #OpportunityYouth #Newark

This MLK Jr. Day, our students braved the cold, serving their community through cleanup, food distribution, and direct engagement. "What are you doing for others?" — Dr. King They answered with action; youth are agents of change in their communities. #MLKDay #OpportunityYouth

We're reflecting on what we built in 2025 and looking ahead to 2026. Newark's opportunity youth showed up and showed out. From policy wins to career pipelines, we build systems that last. Stay with us. Partner with us. Let's build. newark-oyn.org/donate-now #NOYN #OpportunityYouth

Happy Holidays! 🎄✨ To our students, families, partners, and community: Thank you for making this year special. Wishing you joy, rest, and a bright 2026!

Exciting to see the Newark Youth Voices Initiative featured in @TAPintoNewark! Thank you for covering this important work! When young people lead the conversation, real change becomes possible. #NewarkYouthVoices #YouthVoice tapinto.net/towns/newark/s…