Across the Gulf Coast, nonprofits and researchers are zeroing in on a growing but often overlooked population: young adults who are not in school, not working and not actively seeking employment.
These so-called "disconnected" young adults, typically between the ages of 18 and 24, are facing barriers that go beyond simple job hunting — from family responsibilities and lack of transportation to limited English proficiency and financial insecurity.
Florida Gulf Coast University's Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) estimates roughly 1 in 10 young adults in Lee, Charlotte and Collier counties fall into this category. Researchers say many of these young people don’t feel hopeful about their prospects in the labor market.
"They’re disconnected because they're not excited about the labor market prospects," said Dr. Amir Neto, an economist with the institute. "It’s really about getting people passionate about something that makes them excited to engage with the labor market and the community."
Dr. John Shannon, also with the RERI, noted the demographics of disconnected youth vary by region.
"In Charlotte County, it’s largely African American males. In Collier County, more Hispanic females," he said. "Many struggle with English and are twice as likely to rely on SNAP benefits."
For Fort Myers resident Alex Rafael Padilla, the path after high school didn’t lead straight to college or a career either.
"It kind of took me a while to find my path," he said. After bouncing between odd jobs, Padilla now aspires to become a firefighter — a goal he credits to support from the FutureMakers Coalition.
FutureMakers connects young adults like Padilla with funding opportunities for vocational training and even essentials like transportation. The nonprofit works with more than 250 partners across the region to remove obstacles and create individualized roadmaps to employment.
"I knew straight out of high school that I didn’t want to go to college," Padilla said. "FutureMakers really helped me out. It's a very comfortable group of kind people who push you to ask for what you need."
The coalition's approach is grounded in meeting people where they are — a method that appears critical, according to FGCU’s research. Shannon emphasized the importance of early exposure to real-world opportunities.
"Having people come to the schools and talk about what jobs they do, get them excited to work — that’s where you start making an impact," he said.
But while programs like FutureMakers address individual needs, larger systemic issues remain. CareerSource and other job placement organizations are fielding increasing questions from both employers and job seekers about transportation, communication and wages. Many employers report struggling to attract local talent, citing low pay and lack of flexibility as contributing factors.
The efforts to reconnect young adults in Southwest Florida with meaningful work are ongoing. For Padilla, it’s about more than just a paycheck.
"I want a job where I feel like I have a purpose," he said. "Everybody has their own path, but if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it."
As more people move to the Gulf Coast, advocates say investing in its youngest working-age residents could pay long-term dividends — not only for the individuals involved, but for the economy as a whole.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more.