Coaching Youth To Success

In France, United Way is laser-focused on youth education, especially for youth from lower-income families.

Called Alliance Pour l'Education (Alliance for Education)-United Way, the organization is building a coalition of employers, educators, government, NGOs, and philanthropists to serve young people in working-class neighborhoods.

Its Défi Jeunesse program is one example, targeting 6th through 12th grade students. United Way helps students get excited about and map out their job path, then helps them walk the path with education, tutoring, coaching, job preparation workshops, and more. United Way connects youth to services and supports and gives them a bird’s-eye view of the jobs available in their communities.

As of 2023, Defi Jeunesse has helped over 14,000 students and engaged 1,100 employee volunteers to work with them. The program has mobilized 23 companies and partnered with 43 associations. 

United Way is fueling strategies to help young people get job training, job coaches, and, ultimately, good jobs that will lead to financial stability.