“YOU has amazing programs that give youth the hope that no matter what they did in the past, they can still do something positive with their lives. They can finish school and get a job. They also have help to pursue their dreams. No matter what you need, the staff are here for you.”
- YOU Participant
YOU has served Southwest Michigan communities since its inception in 1961. A donor founded Youth Opportunities Unlimited through a private contribution. YOU was created to serve at-risk youth in Kalamazoo and was one of the first designed to assist high school dropouts with reconnection to education and employment training. Throughout its over 50 year history, the services available through YOU has grown to include both youth and adults and now spans a four county region of Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties.
Today, YOU is a vital part of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, helping job seekers to find employment, complete their educations and thrive in the local area. The services provided by Youth Opportunities Unlimited have provided individuals with the opportunity to improve their communities through academic enrichment, workforce readiness and social skills development, while empowering them to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, graduates and leaders. Through programs designed to create a community of well-educated and gainfully employed individuals, YOU remains steadfastly committed to improving the lives of all persons.
