Community Development

Dan Porterfield talks about the power and value of providing real second chances to America’s 4.6 million “opportunity youth”—young people who are not connected to education or employment.

The Community Strategies Group examines the lands of the American West.

Scott Bush launched a place-based, multi-site program that nurtures youth committed to addressing the most compelling challenges in their communities. Known now as the Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF), the team identifies, cultivates, and accelerates emerging leadership in a highly selective cohort by engaging them in the practices essential for transforming their lives and building better societies.

The Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship asks talented young people to turn their attentions to the communities where they live—preferably as soon as possible.

The Institute’s Community Strategies Group inspires local leaders to make rural America healthy and prosperous.

Only 11 percent of new small businesses end up contributing to job creation.

The Institute’s Community Strategies Group held its seventh public event in its America’s Rural Opportunity series, this time showcasing new data on “opportunity youth”—that is, young people ages 16 to 24 who are not employed or in school.

Fresh Tracks is a program to bring together tribal, urban, and rural youth in the outdoors to build leadership skills through cross-cultural exchanges.

Diplomas have real value — but they can come at a daunting cost.