Citi Foundation's Youth Workforce Fund to Prepare Youth Workforces for Employment Needs in their Local Communities
Citi Foundation announced that 15 community organizations have been selected as recipients of Youth Workforce Fund. The $3.75 million fund is supporting community organizations in key cities across the United States to help them expand their programming and connect low-income youth to a range of employment opportunities.
Each grantee will receive $250,000 in financial support to enhance their networks and capacity to plug youth into apprenticeships, internships and vocational training programs that are specific to local employment opportunities including healthcare, culinary arts and information technology. Each community organization will also have access to technical assistance and opportunities to share best practices. Collectively, this cohort of the Youth Workforce Fund is expected to reach 3,500 youth across the country.
The Youth Workforce Fund is part of the Citi Foundation's three year $100MM global Pathways to Progress initiative, which focuses on career readiness initiatives that provide youth job seekers the full range of services needed for long-term employment and economic success. According to the Citi Foundation's Global Youth Survey: Economic Prospects & Expectations, 78% of young people surveyed believe that internships and apprenticeships are critical for career success, however, 60% say there are not enough of these opportunities in their cities.
"Youth Workforce Fund grantees are helping to equip local youth with the skills and training necessary to fill employment needs in their communities," said Brandee McHale, president of the Citi Foundation...