National Network Recognizes Frederick’s Investment in Young People

The 12-to-24 Collaborative, which brings together people and organizations to remove barriers and create pathways to success for Frederick County youth ages 12 to 24, has joined the Opportunity Youth Forum. Led by the Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions, the national network includes approximately 40 communities working to improve outcomes for young people.

Membership places Frederick County alongside communities of varying sizes from across the country, including Denver, Colorado; Oakland, California; Hartford, Connecticut; Charlottesville, Virginia; the Twin Cities region of Minnesota; and Jasper, Texas. It also brings national recognition to the collaborative approach Frederick County has built, uniting more than 100 local partners from nonprofits, government, education, philanthropy, business and the broader community. The 12-to-24 Collaborative is the only Opportunity Youth Forum participant in Maryland and one of only two hubs anchoring the entire DMV region, alongside Charlottesville, VA.

“Frederick’s membership in the Opportunity Youth Forum recognizes that, in a relatively short period of time, Frederick has built what I would describe as a truly youth-centered, cross-sector collaborative and the infrastructure needed for lasting change—an investment in what comes next to transform community outcomes,” said Monique Miles, vice president and director of the Opportunity Youth Forum at the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.

The 12-to-24 Collaborative uses local data, the expertise of its partners and input from young people to identify gaps and develop coordinated solutions. Its work focuses on education, employment, well-being and other factors that affect a young person’s ability to successfully transition into adulthood.

Through the Opportunity Youth Forum, Frederick County will connect with national experts, receive technical assistance and learn from peer communities doing similar

work. These connections can help local partners strengthen and expand their efforts, explore new resources and bring proven ideas and practices back to Frederick County.

Frederick will also contribute to the national conversation by sharing successful approaches developed here. Joining the network gives Frederick County an opportunity to learn nationally while demonstrating how its collaborative work can serve as an example for other communities. Learn more at Frederick12to24.org.