Education

Since 1917 The Urban League of Essex County has been a leader of the civil rights movement. Arguably the most important civil rights battle to be fought in the 21st century is a quality education for our youth. A superior education for every American citizen, regardless of race or economic station, is in the best interest long-term of every business owner, citizen, resident, and investor in America.

A first-class education is a passport to a better life and a world of opportunities. The commitment of every society must be to prepare its youth for adulthood, citizenship, and gainful employment. The best indicator of the future strength, vitality, and stability of a community is the social, educational, and intellectual development of its citizens.

Sadly, millions of youngsters in urban areas don’t receive the important academic foundation needed to pursue higher education. When it comes to a national commitment to a quality education for underprivileged children at the middle and high school levels, the United States lags behind even less economically developed nations. This is an alarming statistic with serious long-term implications. Young people living in urban areas are the most vulnerable and at-risk segment of the population. When we fail to prepare our youngsters to handle the responsibilities of citizenship and adulthood, we weaken economic development, the community, and crime prevention efforts. If we as a society fail to create institutions that develop our youth, they will, by default, be developed by the streets.

The Urban League of Essex County is working tirelessly on numerous education and youth programs to reverse the trend. Please peruse the programs at left to see what we’re up to.

It is often said that the youth are our future. What kind of future will we inherit?

If it’s up to the Urban League, with your help, it will be a beautiful future.

To sign up for this program, please call the Urban League at (973) 624-9535.

To give a gift in support of this program, please call Vivian Cox-Fraser, Executive Director at (973) 624-9535 ext. 102 or click here to Donate online.