PRESS RELEASE: WPTI Awarded $1.5 Million to Help NYC Foster Youth Develop Career Pathways
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sherazade Langlade, CEO
slanglade@wpti.org
WPTI Awarded $1.5 Million to Help NYC Foster Youth Develop Career Pathways NYC Administration for Children’s Services and Center for Fair Futures to Partner
New York, NY (January 16, 2025) – Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI) is proud to announce that it has received a $1.5 million, three-year grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to support a groundbreaking initiative connecting young adults with experience in foster care and justice systems to career success and economic security.
In collaboration with the Center for Fair Futures (CFF) and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), WPTI will lead efforts to dismantle the persistent systemic barriers faced by youth in care, specifically related to employment and educational opportunities. According to the Center for Urban Future’s report, “ACS Report on Youth in Foster Care, 2020,” young people aging out of New York City’s foster care system face daunting odds. Barely 1 in 5 has finished high school or earned a high school equivalency degree, and only 1 in 3 has a verified source of income at the time of discharge. Yet, many young people in care display resilience in response to these challenges and possess talents and ambitions on par with those of young people not in care—assets of immense value to prospective employers and society at large.
The goal of this initiative is to tackle these barriers and create meaningful career opportunities and pathways to advancement for youth in care.
“For over a decade, WPTI has equipped organizations serving foster care youth with the tools and strategies needed to prepare young people for meaningful careers,” said Sherazade Langlade, CEO of WPTI. “This grant enables us to expand and scale these efforts for even greater impact.”
The Grant Funding Will Be Used To:
Enhance Career Development Resources: Align and improve career development models to meet employer and labor market needs.
Improve Workforce Collaboration: Launch the "Make It Work" collaborative to connect foster youth with tailored training programs, improve retention, and address workforce challenges using data-driven solutions.
Establish Cross-Sector Partnerships and Advocacy: Build coalitions to promote data-sharing, collaboration, and policies that improve career outcomes for youth transitioning out of care.
Offer Career Exploration and Readiness Opportunities: Provide innovative career training, workshops, fairs, and tools to support practitioners and youth at various educational and developmental stages.
“The challenges of navigating complex systems, funding streams, and countless programs shouldn’t fall on young people like me who’ve experienced the foster care system,” said Anthony Turner, Youth Advisory Board Director at the Center for Fair Futures. “This initiative isn’t just about improving systems—it’s about giving us the tools and support to thrive and build the futures we deserve.”
The initiative aims to significantly improve career and economic self-sufficiency outcomes for NYC foster youth, increasing the percentage of young people achieving critical career milestones from 60% in 2023 to 90% by 2028.
“This groundbreaking collaboration will provide robust career exploration, workforce training, and access to cutting-edge resources, ensuring youth in care and beyond are fully equipped to succeed,” said Jess Dannhauser, Commissioner of the NYC Administration for Children’s Services.
“At the Center for Fair Futures, we are committed to creating equitable pathways for all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said Tracy Jenkins, Executive Director of the Center for Fair Futures. “Through this partnership with WPTI and ACS, we aim to strengthen career exploration and employment outcomes for foster youth, ensuring they have access to meaningful opportunities that empower them to thrive.”
“This initiative underscores WPTI's dedication to ensuring every young person has access to opportunities that align with their aspirations and potential,” said Maya Washington, Board Chair of WPTI. “We are excited to lead this transformative collaboration to empower NYC foster youth to achieve long-term career success.”
About Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI)
WPTI supports organizations that prepare jobseekers for meaningful work and careers. Since 2004, WPTI’s customized, evidence-based solutions have helped thousands of governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, companies, and workforce development professionals achieve their worker readiness and job placement goals. WPTI’s signature Mentored Internship Program exemplifies its innovative approach by providing hands-on training, mentorship frameworks, and career readiness programs for foster care agencies. These programs are critical pathways for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood.
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