Clain Johnson
Pronouns: He/him
Research Mentor(s): Ashley Anderson
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Washtenaw Alliance for Children and Youth (WACY) / NonUM
Program:
Authors: Clain Johnson, Noah Chang, Ashley Anderson, WACY Sustainability
Session: Session 4: 1:40 pm – 2:30 pm
Poster: 49
Abstract
Youth of Washtenaw County will hold the future of our businesses, governments, and much more within their hands. With this, every youth in Washtenaw deserves an equitable and safe environment to grow up in, such that they have every opportunity open to them once they reach adulthood. The Washtenaw Alliance for Children and Youth’s Project Data Report Card 2024 is the new beginning of the organization’s annual Youth Data Report Card, aimed to ensure every young individual (under 21) receives every resource and opportunity necessary in order to prosper in their lives. To determine the needs of different groups of youths within Washtenaw, our research focussed on the comparison of needs of the total youth population against the needs of economically disadvantaged youths and youths of color. Such data includes access to fresh foods, highschool graduation rates, and much more. Local and state governments readily have this data available online, allowing for the compilation of these comparisons into the Data Report Card. The findings of our research are extremely diverse, determining that although economically disadvantaged students graduate highschool at lower rates than non-economically disadvantaged students in Washtenaw, the rate of graduation of economically disadvantaged students in Washtenaw has grown 10% in the last five years, surpassing the graduation rate of all Michigan highschool students on the state level. Conclusively, the results of our research will be shared with youth-serving organizations around Washtenaw such that each organization will be able to determine which groups are the most vulnerable, and develope action plans to ensure these youths are properly prepared for adulthood.
