January is the month we honor Dr. Martin Luther King. One important way to continue his civil rights work is to help dropped-out young people to earn their high school diplomas. The “graduation gap” crisis in poor communities and communities of color makes this a key civil rights issue of our time.

We Want You Back is a program targeted to help young people finish credits and graduate from Minneapolis Public Schools.

Here are three actions you can take to change the lives of young people and your community:

1) Forward this We Want You Back info to friends, family, post on your Facebook page, etc.

2) Encourage young people you know to tell their friends who have dropped out that there is help for them. Programs include:

• New choices to help finish high school
• New paths to graduation that fit unique needs and schedules

3) Learn more about re-enrollment and sign up to help at www.wewantyoubackmpls.org.

Re-enrolling is simple!
If you know a young person not currently enrolled in middle or high school, please contact Lorraine Rhodes-Dix with Minneapolis Public Schools at 612-668-4136 or Lorraine.Rhodes-Dix@mpls.k12.mn.us

Your Move:

• Invite un-enrolled young people to “Come Home to Minneapolis” and choose a path to graduation.
• The next door-knocking Day of Action is September 10, 2010.
• Connect with tutoring and youth-friendly events throughout the year.

Minneapolis Public Schools and Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board have teamed up in a citywide effort to let our young people know, We Want You Back!