ESSENTIAL |   PUSH The Problem: Approximately 60% of youth living in poverty conditions will drop out of school. This rate is 6 times that of youth living in middle to high-class households. National Center for Education In the government housing communities serviced by Essential2Life, education is less valued. At risk youth are not exposed to environments that stimulate their creativity and desire to learn. They are not given educational opportunities and investments that reinforce their commitment to bettering themselves and stepping out of a life of poverty. Essential2Life stands as a bridge, connecting urban youth with the resources needed to face a hopeful future without poverty. While Essential2Life’s current programs build a strong foundation in children ages 5-12, we have discovered very few opportunities for the teenage youth (ages 13-17) we serve during these critical years. We must be able to offer teenagers innovative programs that give them positive outlets for expression while encouraging their creative talents in an environment of excellence designed especially for their needs and interests. Not only will these programs inspire creativity and learning, but they will also provide training in potential job fields equipping these youth for the future. Essential2Life is working to establish a Visualization center, a state-of-the-art computer lab, equipped with the latest in computer and video technology equivalent to current industry standards. This center will house the PUSH program. PUSH is structured to instill marketable skills in youth from low-income areas. These skills will enable these youth to pursue careers in fields that they would not have been exposed to due to the lack of opportunities present. PUSH will: Raise awareness of the issues faced by urban youth through digital media, giving them a “voice” Expose the business community to the skills of urban youth, thereby promoting one of the city’s under-served populations Empower at-risk youth to create comparative campaigns (digital media, music, radio, animation, etc) Bridge the gap between urban youth and creative career opportunities Essential2Life will launch Phase One of PUSH in the Spring of 2008. This will entail 2-3 day seminars exposing at-risk youth to the digital media industry. The full program will be launched Fall 2008. The program participants will be chosen from those who participated in Phase One. Essential2Life is currently working on raising funds to establish the PUSH program. Phase One: start-up program - $30,000 Phase Two: The completion of the Visualization Center - $170,000