Each year masses of children leave their rural schools without the skills they will need to survive in today's competitive job market. Youth in rural areas may suffer deficits in education, cognitive skills and work experience for a multitude of reasons. Lack of parental encouragement, poverty, neglect, and abuse are only some of the factors putting these youth at risk. The intergenerational program described in this article, Howe-To Industries, conveys entrepreneurial education and life skill development. Older adult mentors give youth caring support and leadership, while the youth add purpose to the lives of their mentors. Diversity of the mentors also provides a pool of resources that gives the children a broad learning base and aids in dissolving age and racial stereotypes. This unique educational project is replicable and can be self-supporting, as well as initiated and maintained with little difficulty.
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