The Ready by 21® Challenge

The Ready by 21 Challenge is a call to action for leaders to think differently, act differently and act together. Leaders, by definition, are those who take initiative, are passionate and want to make progress, and who have some level of influence to do so. Left unchecked, this passion can lead to too many initiatives that dissipate rather than build momentum for change in a community. Read the speech, "Thinking Outside the Box," that has inspired a movement.

The Dilemma
Too few young people are entering adulthood ready and our collective efforts to make a difference are far too fragmented to have a big impact.

• Only 4 in 10 young adults are doing well. Get the facts & latest research.
• The more we focus on narrow needs and supports, the more we fragment our responses—and in the end, the more we fail our children and youth.

For example, a family in Los Angeles County who wants to access services will face a "spaghetti web" of different programs, protocols and agencies:

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The Solution
Change begins with leaders. Leaders need to have bigger goals, bolder strategies and broader partnerships so together we have better outcomes for children and youth.

Changing the way we do business means that we need to throw out old assumptions about how change happens and engage youth and adult change makers with the ideas, resources and tools that help them:

• Think Differently: learn to focus and prioritize differently using a Ready by 21 Approach so that together they can:
• Set bigger goals using a big-picture view and asking different questions to gauge effectiveness and impact

• Use bolder strategies that align programs and policies, connect messages, set shared quality standards and accountability
• Create broader partnerships that engage diverse stakeholders—from leaders and policymakers to young people, families and community members—and link existing efforts in a true, sustainable partnership

Ready by 21 starts with leaders—people at all levels who have the energy, influence and ability to improve supports for young people. Equipping and empowering leaders is the fastest, surest way to improve outcomes for youth.

How can we create a critical mass of "ready leaders" (adults and youth alike) in every state across the country? Learn about our Approach