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DocuSign Envelope ID: DlA09OF6-2A4E-4FOB-9FB7-92FFFC9El3D2 XHIBIT A: <br /> PROVIDER'S OUTSIDE AGENCY APPLICATION <br /> Summer: Weekly life skills workshops for youth, including those participating in summer <br /> employment programs and internships such as EmPowerment's Career Explorers, and for <br /> youth in Orange County Misdemeanor Diversion Program. <br /> e) Describe the community need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Chapel Hill <br /> Human Services feeds Assessment, Orange County_BOCC Goals and Priorities, Town of <br /> Chapel Hill Council Goals, Carrboro Board Priorities, or other community priorities (i.e. <br /> Council/Board Goals). Reference local data (using the provided links, i.e. Chapel Hill <br /> Human Services Needs Assessment) to support the need for this program. <br /> Healthy development and wellbeing are essential for youth readiness for college, work and <br /> life. Positive identity formation, parent and peer relations, and community connection are <br /> critical protective factors. However, bias, marginalization, violence and trauma can <br /> negatively affect a young person's physical, social-emotional and mental health and lead to <br /> disengagement and disconnection. <br /> In Orange County, 4.4% or 1,300 youth are neither in school or gainfully employed, and <br /> thus disconnected from educational and employment opportunities necessary to lead <br /> productive lives (Measure of America). This number does not capture the number of youth <br /> at high risk for disconnection: <br /> • Students suspended from school are up to ten times more likely to drop out of <br /> school or repeat a grade, <br /> • Youth in the juvenile justice system, <br /> • Young people with limited means and access to opportunities. <br /> The majority of students at Boomerang experience multiple forms of social and economic <br /> disadvantage: poverty, racialization, undocumented status, and/or underserved families <br /> (education, employment), and many (over 60%) have experienced trauma. These stressors <br /> can cause the disruptive, risky behaviors that interfere with a young person's daily <br /> functioning. They affect school performance, and can lead to dropping out of school, <br /> homelessness, substance use, other health-compromising behaviors, and/or involvement <br /> with the justice system. <br /> Our aim is to reduce their risk of disconnection by: <br /> • Building relationships of mutual trust (CONNECT) <br /> • Helping students acquire the knowledge, skills, and agency to successfully navigate <br /> critical transitions during their school years (BUILD) <br /> • Providing college and career readiness opportunities that supports them to move <br /> towards long-term success, developing leadership, and social and emotional skills to <br /> create positive change in self and community (INSPIRE) <br /> Boomerang seeks to empower vulnerable young people to have crisis-free lives, and build <br /> strong connections to family, school and positive peers in a supportive environment during <br /> out of school time. <br /> PROGRAM INFORMATION Page 10 of 20 <br />