In the District, approximately one-in-four DC children live below the poverty line. With the Districts’ high school graduation rate 20 average points behind the national average and the highest teen unemployment rate in the country, with more than half of the city’s 16- to 19-year olds untrained to be employed, many underprivileged youth are not equipped with the skills to lead in the workforce.  We know that youth are not given the leadership opportunities and training needed to step into these roles, if and when they become available.