The Full Form of F&O is‍ Futures and Options.

Of the nation’s 20 largest cities, New York has the lowest percentage of working teens – with Blacks and Hispanics the most underrepresented.

Now more than ever, Futures and Options fills a critical need, providing our low-income, minority youth with the training and access they need to compete for jobs.  Here’s why:

Teens need work. “Every teen group is working at post-World War II lows, but the declines since 2000 have been greater for the youngest teens (16-17), high school students, and low income to low middle income youth.” Minority, low-income teens are the most affected. Research proves that working in high school motivates youth to graduate, continue their education, and move forward on a path toward a lifetime of self-sufficiency.  Futures and Options helps make this possible. 

Disadvantaged youth who do not work in high school have the highest dropout rates. Research by Dr. Andrew Sum, Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, illustrates the benefits of youth workforce development – along with the high community and social costs of unemployment for low income, minority teens.