The Peer Learning Exchange on Youth Workforce Development and Family Literacy: Searching for Solutions

HUD RA Leicht and HUD NJ Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano listen in on group discussions in Camden.

HUD Senior Desk Officer Takiya Worthy facilitates group discussion.

HUD Region II Deputy Regional Administrator speaks at the Peer Learning Exchange on Youth Workforce Development and Family Literacy.

Camden and Philadelphia Promise Zones Team up to Create Placed-based Peer Network.

The Camden and Philadelphia Promise Zones partnered in a three-day Peer Learning Exchange on Youth and Workforce Development and Family Literacy event, that brought together HUD Promise Zone staff, stakeholders, and leaders in education and literacy from across the country. The convening served to share information, and best practices, as well as to discuss challenges and potential solutions that will result in achieving the Promise Zone goals.

The convening started in Philadelphia, where Youth Workforce Development is a priority. After a day-and-a-half of workshops, the group moved to Camden's Salvation Army Kroc Center, to discuss family literacy, key to achieving Camden's Promise Zone goals.

HUD Region II Regional Administrator Holly Leicht welcomed the group and sat in multiple breakout sessions as did HUD New Jersey Field Office Director Maria Maio-Messano and HUD Region II Senior Advisor Angela Aloia. HUD HQ Senior Desk Officer Takiyah Worthy provided guidance throughout. Camden Promise Zone Community Liaison Barbara-Anne Gardenhire-Mills worked very hard alongside Philadelphia Promise Zone Community Liaison Patrice Green to organize the convening that served to develop a peer network of Promise Zone and Performance Partnership Pilot communities working to implement placed-based strategies.

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