2018 Program Report: U LEAD

2018 Business Report. Side by Side: Achieving Goals.

The U LEAD program offers career services to eligible young adults between 14 and 24 years of age who pursue educational and employment objectives. Every milestone in the lives of a young person is recognized as a step toward future success. Workforce Solutions offers our U LEAD participants a wide range of services including job readiness, employment, college and career exploration, and paid work experience, giving them the opportunity for a better future. In 2018, Workforce Solutions sent $106,351.45 back to Ramsey County’s young adults through work experiences.

U LEAD Program

Program year (federal): April 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Program year (state): July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
2018 program budget: $1,502,418

370 2018 Youth served     75% 2017 program participants employed 1 year after exit.    100 earned High School Diploma/GED or Certificate.       $11.71 average hourly wage.

Featured Resident: ​Tyqwanda

U LEAD ClientTyqwanda has been a participant with the U LEAD Program for the past two years. During this period, she has accomplished a multitude of personal, academic and employment goals. 

Tyqwanda started working with Ramsey County’s youth employment counselor, Tonya Yarbough, while in high school. She has encountered challenges along the way and has worked to increase her employable skills by updating her resume, completing mock interviews, performing current labor market trends and research along with various other job search activities. While in the U LEAD program, Tyqwanda accepted an internship with Walgreens as a cosmetic sales & aeauty Associate. Now employed and supported by her counselor, Tyqwanda is on her way to obtaining lifestyle employment, continued education and a life valued and prosperous. 

One of Tyqwanda’s educational goals is to attend college after high school. With her determination, perseverance and the support from her youth counselor, Tyqwanda identified several colleges that interested her and supported her course of study in criminal justice. Currently, Tyqwanda has completed her first semester of college and earned a 3.0 GPA at Saint Paul College. Tyqwanda attends Saint Paul College and is working on earning her B.A. degree in criminal justice.

  • Goal: To be accepted into Saint Paul College.
  • Achievements: Employed with Walgreens and attending Saint Paul College.
  • Employment Counselor: Tonya Yarbrough, WorkForce Center, North St. Paul.