National Reengagement Initiative (NRI) Joins The New Ways Networks

New Ways to Work Announces that Andrew O. Moore will serve as managing director of the National Reengagement Initiative.

With a career that spans more than two decades, the workforce development expert built a nationwide network of dozens of reengagement centers to reconnect tens of thousands of older youth to school and work

New Ways to Work (New Ways) announced today that workforce development expert Andrew O. Moore has joined the team as the Managing Director of the National Reengagement Initiative (NRI).  With a proven history that includes national and international advocacy, Moore built a robust nationwide network of reengagement hubs that connect thousands of youth to the tools that they need to achieve self-sufficiency. Under New Ways’ strategic guidance and leadership, NRI will continue to expand reengagement efforts across the nation and strengthen resources that allow Opportunity Youth to thrive.

“New Ways is thrilled to welcome an unwavering champion who has dedicated much of his professional life to bringing students back into America’s schools,” said Robert Sainz, President & Executive Director of New Ways. “Through comprehensive approaches and impactful alliances, Andrew has helped build new infrastructure nationwide to reconnect young people to school, training, and work .” 

With degrees from Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government, Moore formerly served as Director, Youth and Young Adult Connections at the National League of Cities’ and authored Reengagement: Bringing Students Back to America’s Schools (Rowman & Littlefield: 2016). In his new role, he will lead NRI in serving as a key mechanism for peer learning. Leveraging the most reliable programs and policies to get young people ages 16-24 plugged in to opportunity, the network consists of more than 600 leaders with 35+ operating sites. Membership also includes those working in fields such as alternative education, workforce development, juvenile justice, and city government. 

“It is an incredible honor to join an organization with such an extensive history of fighting for the resources and support that all young people need to excel,” said Moore. “As we work towards a more equitable society, I look forward to helping local and state leaders implement practical solutions on behalf of the children, youth, and families in their communities. Together, we can connect many more young adults to opportunity.” 

Through events that connect its members  and technical assistance, NRI will lead to the development of tools and resources using examples from the field, promote peer problem-solving as issues arise, provide a resource bank of program and reference materials, and more.  With a legislative goal to inform local, state, and federal policy, the initiative will also drive consensus on approaches to program measurement, populate an annual Reengagement Census showing field scope and dynamics, and convey relevant evaluation and research findings. The latter includes the forthcoming release of Reengagement, Volume II.

Through an enhanced partnership with New Ways’ principal partners Reaching At-Promise Students (RAPSA) and the California Opportunity Youth Network (COYN), the National Reengagement Initiative will have access to an alliance with 40+ year history of rallying local, regional, and national partners to champion life-altering legislation in support of vulnerable youth.