Pathways to Success provides opportunities for kinship youth to be exposed to various vocational and academic options within a structured and welcoming community of support. The program seeks to promote life skills & financial literacy as well as empower the caregivers we serve.
Field trips to businesses and tours of local training and career resource centers like Mayland Community College and several business community partners in our service area expose kinship youth to local opportunities to develop skills and earn a living using those skills. Mayland Community College, a High Country Caregivers community partner, offers 2-year programs that provide certificates in welding, HVAC, engineering, massage therapy, & many others, providing the skills needed to earn $50-$60,000 per year. Introducing youth to pathways like Mayland Community College can help launch them into productive and lucrative careers.
Other community partnerships and tours include:
- Local banks where teens learn about various accounts, interest rates, and loan requirements
- A financial planner to create a budget, learn about credit, insurance, and rental leases
- Local manufacturing facilities
- Auto repair garages
- Emergency management like police, fire, and EMT
- Contact us if you would like your business to partner with this program!
“Giving teens the on-going opportunity to learn marketable skills and financial literacy helps prepare them for a positive trajectory into adulthood.”
– Executive Director Jacob Willis
This program is funded in part by a generous grant from the Mountain Air Community Fund.