Greetings and welcome to the web pages of Right Moves for Youth. The purpose of this organization is to improve graduation rates among underserved youth in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Our program works to provide support and resources that help students to succeed in school and graduate with a plan for future achievement.

We are excited to begin yet another school year in which we have the awesome opportunity to positively impact the lives of so many youth throughout this community! Our office is alive and bustling with eager enthusiasm generated by hopeful students, dedicated volunteers and energetic staff! As well, we are honored to have wonderful partners who have expressed a renewed commitment in support of our programming efforts.

The UNCC Urban Institute recently released data that revealed a decrease in overall graduation rates for Mecklenburg County. Moreover, at 72.2%, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools had the lowest graduation rate in this region. With that being said, at individual schools, CMS has some of the highest graduation rates in the region. This simply highlights the gross disparity among schools in the system. For example, West Charlotte High School, at 54.3%, had one of the lowest graduation rates in CMS. Conversely, Providence High School had the highest graduation rate, with 93.2% of its students graduating.

Working in some of the more challenged schools in CMS including West Charlotte High School, Right Moves for Youth has exhibited tremendous success. The following are programmatic outcomes for the 2010-2011 school-year:

Albert Einstein once suggested that "the significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking which created them." With low student achievement and the need for education reform continuing to plague our youth, it's time for a new way of thinking. We understand the need for a holistic approach to student support that takes into account the many challenges that become barriers to academic attainment.

Thank you all for your continued support and commitment to the mission of Right Moves for Youth. With your help, we are truly "turning obstacles into opportunities".

Sincerely,

Tayuanee L. Dewberry