"People loved the Ready by 21 concept and said it felt 'right.' They understood why everything we do has to be connected to the bigger goal of getting every young person Ready by 21. We're still riding the momentum this created."
- Sharon Rodine
Youth Initiatives Director,
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy

“Improving young lives means changing old strategies. Increasing funding for one program while decreasing funding for another generates political wins but it fails children and youth. We need to challenge our leaders – public and private – to be accountable for the lives they touch directly or indirectly. These goals are ambitious but doable, because of the groundwork that has already been laid.”
-    Richard Gephardt (D), former Congressman from Missouri

“Ready by 21 thinks in terms of the community and pulling everyone in. The goal is that by age 21, young people are not just a bunch of ‘nots’ — not pregnant, not dropouts, not gang members — but are actually ready for college, work and life.”
- Tom Ridge (R), former Governor of Pennsylvania

"Trying isn't good enough anymore. If this country is going to be competitive in the 21st century, we have to invest in what works. The Ready by 21 Challenge helps state and local leaders put their own work in the context of the big picture of everything needed to change the overall array of community supports."
-    Tom Ridge (R), former Governor of Pennsylvania

“We have strengthened the working relationship among child welfare, juvenile justice and youth development services and their ability to advocate together for better policies. Now, we address the needs and gaps together, instead of just by departmental silos.”
- Betsy Brockway, Director, Health & Human Services Cabinet, Dutchess County, New York

“I find Ready by 21 materials key to keep me in the informational loop and forward-thinking for our county.”
- Betsy Brockway, Director, Health & Human Services Cabinet, Dutchess County, New York