About YO!

FUTURES Works is a collaborative effort of the United States Department of Labor (DOL), the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) and Baltimore City Public Schools. This initiative provides comprehensive services to students attending targeted high schools.

The main goal of the FUTURES Works program is to impact the students in the following ways through intensive advocacy with a caring adult:

  • Utilizing a team approach (advocates, mental health clinicians and volunteer mentors). FUTURES Works staff members are able to respond to the individual needs of each student and help them address any barriers to learning.
  • Motivate and strengthen participants’ character through service learning. Through incentives, youth development activities and attendance rates increases, there are reductions in the rates of suspensions, dropouts, pregnancy, substance abuse, gang violence and other detrimental behavior.
  • Increase high school entrance rates by providing special support to FUTURES Works students, as well as peak the students’ interest in attending college and post-secondary educational institutions.
  • Increase the employability of students through workshops, counseling and vocational internships and provide additional exposure to employment and careers in the private sector. This includes summer employment.

Who is eligible to participate in FUTURES Works?

FUTURES Works assists students identified by the Baltimore City Public Schools. Officials refer students who:

  • Reside in the primary geographic areas of designated high schools.
  • Have a history of poor attendance and a grade-point average of less than 2.0 in grade 7 & 8 or have been retained at least once during a previous grade level.

What services do FUTURES Works students receive?


FUTURES Works participants have a caring adult, advocate who works on their behalf.
FUTURES Works advocates:

  • Help students develop a plan for success
  • Encourage and reward good attendance and academic improvement
  • Verify school attendance daily and report absences to parents immediately
  • Help students communicate their learning needs to instructors
  • Conduct life skills workshops and group sessions
  • Help with homework and tutoring
  • Make home visits when needed to partner with parents for student success
  • Assist with keeping grades and schedules accurate and updated
  • Promote participation in school and extra-curricular activities
  • Conduct individual student conferences at least once a month
  • Listen to, and assist with, personal issues
  • Chaperone students on field trips
  • Track student’s personal progress
  • Help students to explore college and career choices
  • Refer students and family to other agencies and resources for assistance
  • Help students acquire school uniforms (when needed)
  • Help participants plan productive summer activities, including summer jobs
  • Encourage parental involvement in student activities and more

FUTURES Works parents are encouraged to…

  • Share a healthy, nutritious dinner with their children and ask them “What happened in school today?”
  • Support their child in making responsible decisions and realizing that there are consequences to their choices
  • Check to see if their children have homework and make sure that all homework is completed before watching TV or playing
  • Create an atmosphere where success is supported through appreciating children routinely for everything s/he did right today
  • Know where your children are and who they are spending time with each day. Make sure there is adult supervision during after-school hours. If not, make arrangements for your son or daughter to stay after-school or at a community center until you get home.
  • Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and get involved. Call and talk to your child’s FUTURES Works advocate and ask for help when needed.
  • Listen carefully to what your child is saying and reflect it back so they know you heard them. Try to remember what it was like to be their age and let them know you understand their challenges and concerns.
  • Answer questions honestly
  • Set up clear house rules with agreed-upon, clear consequences for when those rules are broken
  • Celebrate your child’s successes

FUTURES Works tips for student success

  • Come to school every day and on time (Monthly Goal of 95%)
  • Wearing your school uniform every day
  • Report to each class prepared for instruction
  • Abide by all classroom rules
  • Respect your peers, faculty, FUTURES Works staff members and their property.
  • Motivate and strengthen your character through service learning.
  • Participate in monthly one-on-one counseling sessions with your advocates and share with him/her your problems and successes.
  • Participate in the FUTURES Works 80% Club
  • Attend Peer Tutoring, After-School Homework clubs and coach classes
  • Participate in field trips, group sessions and workshops that will promote positive values, self-esteem, character development, and academic success
  • If you are having a problem, talk it over with your FUTURES Works advocate immediately
  • Plan to gain work experience through a summer job
  • If your school work is on-track, talk to your advocate about getting a job during after-school hours

For more information on FUTURES Works, contact Program Manager Michelle Miles at 410-396-6155 or mmiles@oedworks.com.