BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Rather than trying to find a “silver bullet” program to address the challenges youth face around the world, Bill Reese, president of the Baltimore-based International Youth Foundation, said he believes time and money are better spent on existing programs around the globe that have already proven they have the potential for success.

And that has been the mission of the nonprofit that provides services to youth in 70 countries for the past 16 years.

“We’re trying to scale up things that work — the best practices programs,” Reese said. “What we think the world needs is to invest more over the long-term to bring sustainability to things that work.”

Reese said that his organization focuses on four areas in helping youth become productive, successful adults: education, health, citizenship and employability.

The nonprofit identifies programs or organizations, primarily outside of the United States, that focus on helping youth in these areas. It then dedicates funding and provides guidance to help the programs succeed. The nonprofit receives about half of its funding from global corporations and the other half from development agencies. Its annual budget is about $20 million.

One of its recent initiatives that Reese considers a major success involved bringing computer literacy to middle school and high school students in Latin America. Through partnerships with agencies in the Latin American countries, the nonprofit was able to teach computer skills to more than 27,900 students, 50 percent of whom have been placed in profitable jobs.

“At the end of the day, youth isn’t a goal, it’s a transition we pass through and you want young people to join the work force and join the community who are well-trained,” Reese said. “We call it positive youth development ... looking at children as assets to our community rather than problems.”

Doug Becker, chairman and chief executive officer of Baltimore-based Laureate Education, said that his company has partnered with the International Youth Foundation to further its Youth Action Net program that identifies and supports emerging nonprofit youth organizations in developing countries. Specifically, Laureate has been given the task of building the program in Mexico.

“Most of our revenues are from outside of the U.S., and we’re looking for ways to give back to those parts of the world,” said Becker, who is also chairman-elect of the nonprofit’s board. “The idea that right here in Baltimore there is a nonprofit foundation whose whole purpose is to improve condition for youth in the developing word makes for a really great partnership for us.”

Contact the nonprofit

» 32 South St.

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-951-1500

www.iyfnet.org

bmiller@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

12:16 PM MST on Tue., May. 13, 2008 re: "City opens arms to small businesses"

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Conscientious observer - you are an idiot and deserve what happened to you.

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2:24 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 14, 2008 re: "Home Depot drops South City proposal"

Conscientious Observer said:
A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular Home Depot customers. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 25-28 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot. You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen April 4th, 9th, 10th & twice on the

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8:24 PM MST on Sun., Feb. 3, 2008 re: "Southwest Airlines brings low-cost flights to Dulles"

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Are there flights out of MacArthur Airport on Long Island New York to Washington Dulles

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3:29 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 2, 2008 re: "A complaint about delivery of The Baltimore Examiner"

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I understand that we should not choose a President based on his religious beliefs,but tell me---how can we support a President in defending our country when he doesn"t even believe in pledging allegiance to it!!!!?????

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9:31 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008 re: "New alarm aimed at fighting construction theft"

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The Dewalt system is good for notification but the alarm only sounds for 20 seconds and shuts off. The alarm is not loud at all if it were in the middle of a large job site nobody would hear it.

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9:20 PM MST on Sun., Dec. 30, 2007 re: "Celsion CEO resigns as firm deals to retain market listing"

Makis said:
Nice!

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10:19 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 19, 2007 re: "Harford County fighting the battle of Fort Monmouth"

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I can't believe Fort Monmouth has a bunch of whinos have they ever heard of commuting on the Acela from New Jersey every morning my guess is no.

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10:39 AM MST on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007 re: "Hale keeps his focus on achieving success"

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Ed Hale is a real inspiration. He's the perfect model of the American dream. LL Detroit

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12:06 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Harford County fighting the battle of Fort Monmouth"

Examiner Reader said:
fort monmouth should close down! it's a waste of tax payers money. (civilian employee's have 2 hour lunch breaks, there is so much infidelity going on there, sex in parking lot, etc) The come and go as they please, and we the tax payers pay for this. Put the money where it is needed, in defense!

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