LEAP

​

LEARN.  EARN.  ACHIEVE.  POTENTIAL.

Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP)™ is a multimillion-dollar national initiative to increase employment and educational opportunities for young people facing some of the greatest challenges on the path to adulthood. The LEAP initiative was partially funded at inception by a grant from the Social Innovation Fund, and is now supported by national and local philanthropies. 

Focusing on youth who are homeless or highly mobile, in the juvenile justice systems, or foster care, LEAP integrates programming, content, and resources to more effectively support young people as they earn a secondary credential and explore career pathways. In Minnesota, there are currently eight sites serving “Opportunity Youth” that are connected to the LEAP initiative with more to come. 

Questions & Answers

What is the LEAP Initiative? 

LEAP is a national initiative created to support young people as they earn credentials and explore career pathways.  Initially funded by the Social Innovation Fund, LEAP is now funded in part by the Annie E Casey Foundation which supports 10 LEAP sites across the United States. Through LEAP, the Foundation hopes to identify effective strategies for helping youth and young adults overcome challenges and succeed in school and at work by adapting evidence-based models to work for the unique needs and strengths of Opportunity Youth.  LEAP MN utilizes the Jobs For America’s Graduates (JAG) curriculum as one core element of LEAP.  The LEAP Core Elements are 

• Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) curriculum 

• Support and Basic Needs provided by the Hennpin County Plus Program 

• Adult Relationships and Guidance 

• Youth Engagement and Leadership 

• Collaborative Systems and Partnerships 

• Equitable and Inclusive Environments 

• Flexible Program Delivery  

What is a LEAP Site? 

LEAP Sites are spaces where Opportunity Youth spend time—community centers, schools, or youth-serving organizations.  In Minnesota, many LEAP Sites are Alternative Schools which serve youth who have taken non-traditional, tailored pathways to their education.  Current LEAP MN Sites include 

• Loring Nicollet Alternative School 

• MERC Alternative High School 

• El Colegio High School 

• PYC Arts and Technology High School 

• Choice Academy 

• High School for Recording Arts 

• GAP School 

• Brooklyn Center Early College Academy  

What is a LEAP Partner? 

LEAP Partners are organizations, companies, groups, or programs who coordinate to support Opportunity Youth in the LEAP network by providing services, career pathway opportunities, and advocacy. Some examples of LEAP Partners are  

• Hennepin County’s PLUS Program 

• Hennepin Healthcare’s Pathways Program 

• MCTC and MPS’s D3 Program 

• MN Department of Transportation 

• Bridgemakers 

• Northgate Development’s Regional Apprenticeship Training Center (RATC) 

• Avivo 

How can I find out more?

EMAIL US