We are honored to be one of the winners of the Blackstone Gives Back Challenge!

This $100K grant will help STRIVE upgrade our technology, enhance our training programs & operations, and expand our services for BIPOC communities.

We thank the team at Blackstone for sharing STRIVE's mission and championing our graduates.

STRIVE was nominated as part of the Blackstone Gives Back Challenge and was judged by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation board members based on innovation, importance, and effectiveness. This $100K grant will help STRIVE upgrade our technology to serve the community better, elevate our evidence-based training programs and operations, and expand our services for BIPOC communities.

STRIVE's commitment to serving marginalized communities, providing best-in-class training pathways in each industry sector, and building strong employer partnerships make it stands out from other workforce development organizations. Since 1984, STRIVE has been advancing racial equity by offering economic opportunities to underserved communities. STRIVE offers holistic lifetime support to its students. With the Empath model, they help students achieve self-sufficiency and reach personal goals for their family, career, and well-being.

US Department of Labor (DOL) awards $4.5M to STRIVE to narrow opportunity gap for justice-involved youth

STRIVE and its partners will connect justice-involved youth with jobs in six cities across the country.

NEW YORK, July 2nd, 2021 – STRIVE, a leading national nonprofit workforce development organization, was announced as one of six recipients of a grant from the DOL, funding a program to connect justice-involved young adults to careers with a pathway for advancement. Securing this $4.5 million support will allow STRIVE to offer our Future Leaders program in four cities: New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Diego. The STRIVE Future Leaders program connects justice-involved youth (aged 18-24) to career opportunities and provides training and support services, all driving toward STRIVE's work to achieve equity through economic opportunity. STRIVE’s programs help underserved communities with resources and training for more than a good job, but a career for upward mobility. 

“This grant offers more than career opportunities to justice-involved youth. It also provides a second chance for young adults to achieve economic mobility to provide for themselves and their families. We are glad to provide them with resources and support their growth,” said Lakythia Ferby, Executive Director at STRIVE New York.  

All four of the partner sites where the STRIVE Future Leaders program will be implemented with this grant are deeply underserved, with few comprehensive programs meeting the needs of youth with histories of involvement in the criminal justice system. Often, youth struggle to find a good job, which leads to their re-arrest. The highest recidivism rate in these areas is 54%.  The Future Leaders program will address the needs of these young citizens upon their release, supporting them on their journey to reintegration and self-sufficiency.  

STRIVE’s Future Leaders will serve 555 youth over three years, as operated through STRIVE’s flagship in New York and three affiliate partner organizations: Cafe Reconcile (New Orleans), JEVS Human Services (Philadelphia), and Second Chance (San Diego). 

"The City of New Orleans Office of Workforce Development is committed to changing the narrative to ensure positive outcomes for our justice involved youth," said Sunae Villavaso, Director of the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development.  "The STRIVE Future Leaders grant will allow us to continue our focus on breaking barriers utilizing training and program models that are responsive to labor trends. It will also ensure that our Cafe Reconcile cohorts continue to be provided with the knowledge and skills to help them become more upwardly mobile." 

STRIVE and their affiliates will work in partnership with community colleges, employers, and the justice system to provide the professional and occupational skills needed to enter the workforces. Accompanying the training, STRIVE Future Leaders will incorporate case management, services, and supports as part of a proprietary, evidence-based model that STRIVE has successfully used for the program. Students will engage in pro-social activities, including employment and education, while receiving the support they need to maintain long-term financially sustaining employment, keep a stable residence, and successfully address substance abuse issues and mental health needs. 

“It takes collaboration and meaningful partnerships to help young people pursue their dreams,” said Gerald Duhon, executive director of Café Reconcile. “With capacity-building support from STRIVE, Café Reconcile can expand and enhance wrap around services and occupational training to partner with our young people on their path to employment and bright futures.”  

“JEVS believes that by empowering young people we strengthen communities. Partnering with STRIVE has added to our ability to reach some of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable citizens, equip them with new skills and help them realize their amazing potential,” said Jeffrey Booth, Senior Vice President at JEVS Human Services.  

“Second Chance is proud to partner with STRIVE, and to connect justice-involved youth to opportunities in higher education.  This grant will help break the cycles of poverty and incarceration by committing much-needed resources to transitional age youth in our community.  We look forward to tapping into our network of local colleges to help prepare our young people for success in secondary education and beyond” said Philip Stutzman, Director of Development Strategy at Second Chance. 

STRIVE has a successful track record partnering with the DOL. As of 2012, STRIVE has successfully administered eight federal grants serving 3,000 justice-involved adults and youth across 10 U.S. cities. This marks its 9th federal grant and will allow STRIVE Future Leaders to operate in a total of 6 cities in 2021.  

This work product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by a Sub-recipient or a contractor and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.

National Workforce Organization, STRIVE, Announces Appointment of Tasha Jackson As Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

STRIVE’s Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, Tasha Jackson

NEW YORK, April 2nd, 2021 – STRIVE, a leading national non-profit workforce development organization, announced today the hiring of Tasha Jackson as Chief Financial & Administrative Officer. Ms. Jackson will help further STRIVE’s mission by providing strategic financial and operational leadership and setting up systems for growth across various internal teams and locations. 

An accomplished nonprofit leader, Ms. Jackson brings to STRIVE more than fifteen years of executive level experience working at non-profit organizations and has held leadership roles in finance and accounting at the Urban Resource Institute and Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Her leadership has successfully guided growth, increased revenues, and reduced cost in her previous roles. She has enhanced internal controls, been a positive change agent, and strengthened organizational culture.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Tasha to STRIVE and our executive leadership team,” said STRIVE President & CEO, Phil Weinberg.  “As STRIVE enters a new phase of growth, Tasha brings deep expertise in nonprofit finance and operations and an extensive track-record of success as a growth-oriented nonprofit leader."

In this new position, Ms. Jackson will lead a 10-person team comprised of Finance, Human Resources, IT, Compliance, and Office Management, ensuring STRIVE achieves operational excellence and advances organizational goals. In recognition of its financial and operational strength, STRIVE receives the highest rating of four stars from Charity Navigator and was awarded a 2021 Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“To join an organization with such a deep history of providing the tools, skills and environment for individuals to develop their whole self and accomplish goals they once believed unimaginable is an honor. I am ready to continue to do great work with the dedicated and passionate team at STRIVE,” said Ms. Jackson.

STRIVE’s programs foster inclusive economic growth in cities across the U.S. working to advance equity through economic opportunity. STRIVE assists underserved communities in addressing barriers that prevent them from thriving in the workforce. To date, STRIVE has helped 80,000 students and their families achieve financial independence and reach high aspirations. Recently, STRIVE graduate Roy Castro was elected as the organization's Board Co-Chair, bringing a graduate voice to the highest level of the nonprofit.

Ms. Jackson received her MBA from Post University and her Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Insurance from the University of Hartford. She is an active member of the National Black M.B.A. Association and the Institute of Management Accountants. Ms. Jackson was named a 2013 Hartford Business Journal CFO of the Year Finalist and is a 2017 100 Women of Color Honoree.

STRIVE Is One of the Anchor Grantees of CarMax to Help Combat Social Inequity and Injustice

STRIVE and CarMax announce new philanthropic partnership that creates bridges to economic opportunity in communities nationwide.

NEW YORK, March 24th, 2021 – STRIVE, a leading national non-profit workforce development organization, is thrilled to announce it is one of the three anchor grantees of CarMax, Inc. (CarMax), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars. CarMax and STRIVE share the same vision – to end racial injustice and advance diversity. STRIVE was awarded $500,000 over two years to support their work creating economic opportunity pathways through the power of promising careers for Black and Brown communities. 

"STRIVE is grateful to partner with CarMax in advancing racial equity through the transformative power of employment. Together we will create new pathways to economic opportunity for the residents of Atlanta and in communities across the country” – STRIVE President & CEO, Phil Weinberg. 

CarMax is committed to promoting equitable access to economic opportunity and will focus its efforts in the areas of education, careers, access to credit, and financial education. Together, CarMax and The CarMax Foundation have invested over $65 million in various causes. With CarMax’s substantial presence in Atlanta, this partnership will include a focus on working with the newest site for STRIVE in the region. This allows STRIVE Atlanta to grow and build strong relationships with employers and communities. STRIVE and CarMax both believe in a deep invested partnership that includes employee engagement and a chance to connect with students and graduates on their journey to a career. This investment will allow STRIVE to leverage partnerships with local employers to connect them to talented individuals seeking good jobs. 

“We are committed to standing against racial and social injustice and advancing inclusion and diversity. STRIVE shares our values, and our partnership will enable us to effectively help more people. We are excited to work with STRIVE and equip individuals with the tools they need to land a promising career and become financially independent” – Leslie Parpart, Director, Community Relations, CarMax. 

STRIVE opened its Atlanta flagship last year to improve economic opportunity in Atlanta. Despite major growth, Atlanta remains the lowest among major US cities in terms of upward mobility for those in poverty according to GBPI. STRIVE Atlanta will continue to deliver the signature STRIVE Career Path program with a track unique to Atlanta—Certified Logistics and Inventory Control—which holds high potential for growing careers for STRIVE students. Classes are held virtually and in-person. STRIVE Atlanta will graduate 350 people within the first three years of full operations, providing a pathway to family-sustaining careers. 

“We are very excited to launch our partnership with CarMax to help Atlanta residents connect to family-supporting careers and economic opportunities,” said Jomal Vailes, STRIVE Atlanta Executive Director. “We stand ready to break the cycle of poverty, uplift equity and access as drivers of change, and help more individuals achieve financial freedom." 

STRIVE believes deeply that everyone should be able to pursue their dreams. For every graduate that builds a better future to support their families, we take a step toward the equity communities of color have long been denied. STRIVE's programs for career training address criminal justice history, a lack of education, underemployment, and poverty, all of which are viewed through a racial lens and act as further barriers to residents' progress in these communities. With a 90% program graduation rate and a 70% job retention rate, our graduates are successful.     

The Equity For All Conversation Series

Watch the highlights from our March 4th conversation
on the Role of Economic Mobility in Advancing Racial Justice

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Meet the Panelists

Kimberly Brown

Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Kimberly Brown has worked promoting economic mobility through education, workforce development, and philanthropy for over 15 years. She began her career as a faculty member, teaching English Language Learners at Montana State University and the University of Maryland, then moved to Montgomery Community College where she developed specialized, employment-focused curricula and programs for refugees and other populations with high barriers to employment, including victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, survivors of torture and trauma, opportunity youth, and reentering community members. From there she became Chief Program Officer at DC Central Kitchen, focused on social enterprise models, food justice, and workforce development for individuals experiencing poverty, incarceration, homelessness addiction. Kimberly specializes in developing industry partnerships, as well as using data to inform workforce development programming and to promote investment in frontline workers. Her areas of expertise include workforce development and continuing education, career pathways, and accelerated/contextualized programming. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Montana, and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland.

Roy Castro

STRIVE Board Co-Chairman
CEO, D.M. Ice Cream Corporation

Roy Castro first came to STRIVE’s New York offices in 2003 after his release from federal prison, seeking to improve his life and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty experienced by his family. STRIVE’s nationally-recognized training model helped Mr. Castro land a job after graduation and move up the career ladder. He is now the owner of D.M. Ice Cream Corporation, a multi-million-dollar company.

Roy is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. A frequent speaker to STRIVE students and to others across New York City, Mr. Castro was honored at the Robin Hood Heroes Breakfast in 2019. He is married and has two children.

Learn more about our newly elected Board Chair.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu

Founder and President, E Pluribus Unum

Mitch Landrieu is an American Politician, Lawyer, author, speaker, nonprofit leader and CNN political commentator. He served as the 61st Mayor of New Orleans (2010-2018) When he took office, the city was still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and in the midst of the BP Oil Spill.

Under Landrieu's leadership, New Orleans is widely recognized as one of the nation’s great comeback stories. In 2015, Landrieu was named “Public Official of the Year” by Governing, and in 2016 was voted “America’s top turnaround mayor” in a Politico survey of mayors. He also served as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Landrieu gained national prominence for his powerful decision to take down four Confederate monuments in New Orleans, which also earned him the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. In his best-selling book, ​In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History​, Landrieu recounts his personal journey confronting the issue of race and institutional racism that still plagues America.

In 2018, he launched E Pluribus Unum, an initiative in the South created to fulfill America’s promise of justice and opportunity for all by breaking down the barriers that divide us by race and class. ​E Pluribus Unum is building a series of programs and initiatives to cultivate courageous leaders who are committed to realizing an inclusive vision for a new South, champion transformative policies to reverse the enduring harms of America’s Jim Crow era past for those who continue to experience them today, and change narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism in order to shift people’s attitudes and behaviors.

Prior to serving as Mayor, Landrieu served two terms as lieutenant governor and 16 years in the state legislature. He and his wife Cheryl live in New Orleans, where they raised their five children.

Asahi Pompey

Global Head of Corporate Engagement and President, Goldman Sachs Foundation

Asahi is global head of Corporate Engagement and president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation. She is a member of the Management Committee, Global Diversity Committee and the Sustainable Finance Steering Group.

Prior to assuming her current role, Asahi was co-chief compliance officer of Goldman, Sachs & Co and global head of Investment Banking Division Compliance, and had responsibility for conduct risk. She joined Goldman Sachs in 2006 and was named managing director in 2010 and partner in 2018.

Prior to joining the firm, Asahi was an associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, where she worked in the New York and Frankfurt offices.

Asahi graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Swarthmore College and earned a JD from Columbia University, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone and an S.K. Yee Scholar.

Moderator:

Jomal Vailes

Executive Director, STRIVE Atlanta

Jomal is committed to closing the access gap for families and children of color. As Chief Philanthropy Officer for Communities In Schools of Georgia, Jomal worked closely with its President and Board of Directors to lead the statewide agency’s resource development strategies focused on expanding philanthropic investments and agency visibility. Jomal, a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), is no stranger to advocating for vulnerable populations. Vailes previously served as Chief External Affairs Officer for The Center for Working Families (Annie E. Casey Foundation, Atlanta Civic Site), overseeing fund development, communications and strategic partnerships as part of its Family Economic Success and Two-Generation portfolios. An accomplished leader focused on achieving outcomes and impact, Jomal has served Atlanta’s nonprofit community for more than 20 years including roles as Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Georgia Aquarium, and Manager of Community Engagement and Diversity Programs for the world-renowned Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Jomal is a candidate for the MA in Philanthropy from LaGrange College, and holds a BS in Organizational Leadership from Valdosta State University after matriculation at Morehouse College. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and three daughters.

STRIVE Elects Program Graduate as New Co-Chairman of the Board

Roy Castro, CEO of D.M. Ice Cream Corporation, is first-ever alumnus to be named
Board member and officer of the Board

NEW YORK, February 11th, 2021 – STRIVE, a leading national non-profit workforce development organization, is pleased to announce the election of Roy Castro as Co-Chairman of its Board of Directors. Mr. Castro, who joined the STRIVE Board in 2017 and is a STRIVE alumnus, will lead the organization in partnership with Brian Friedman, President of Jefferies Financial Group, and STRIVE’s Board chairman since 2018.

“STRIVE is not only helping people prepare for jobs, we’re working to end poverty within families and communities, especially communities of color. I am proof that by helping one person, we can change the path of generations,” said Mr. Castro. He first came to STRIVE’s New York offices in 2003 after his release from federal prison, seeking to improve his life and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty experienced by his family. STRIVE’s nationally-recognized training model helped Mr. Castro land a job after graduation and move up the career ladder; he is now the owner of D.M. Ice Cream Corporation, a company with $10 million in annual revenue. A frequent speaker to STRIVE students and to others across New York City, Mr. Castro was honored at the Robin Hood Heroes Breakfast in 2019. He is married and has two children.

Mr. Castro is also a graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. He was nominated for the program by Goldman Sachs Partner, Dina Powell McCormick, after they met at a STRIVE event. Since graduation, Mr. Castro’s business revenues have more than tripled. “STRIVE sees what people can be and unlocks their potential by providing effective job training and employment opportunities. This organization transforms lives with grace, love, and constant support for their students. I’m so grateful that STRIVE introduced me to Roy and I’m so proud of all that he continues to accomplish in his life and for the organization,” said Ms. McCormick.

Mr. Castro, who became a STRIVE Board member in 2017, has provided strategic guidance to improve STRIVE’s programs, and has consistently supported STRIVE students with essential supplies. Working with the 17-member Board, he will help STRIVE accomplish its ambitious growth plan, STRIVE Higher. With STRIVE Higher, STRIVE plans to open more wholly owned and operated STRIVE sites, improve program fidelity across existing sites, and continuously offer high-quality services with the goal of helping 10,000 students in the next five years.

“Roy is a proud STRIVE alumnus and passionate about carrying forward STRIVE's vision. It is my honor to partner and serve with Roy, a STRIVE graduate, as this shows that anything is possible if you have the opportunity,” said Brian Friedman, STRIVE’s Board Co-Chairman. “As the world seeks the path to true and lasting racial equity and justice, STRIVE stands tall as an enabler of open-ended opportunity for those who might otherwise be denied their fair chance at what their abilities and drive can accomplish.”

STRIVE’s President and CEO, Phil Weinberg, said of Mr. Castro’s position, “A STRIVE graduate and powerful voice for our organization and our mission, Roy represents the very best of STRIVE and the idea that there are endless possibilities for our students and graduates.”

Evidence-Building with MDRC

STRIVE is committed to building evidence on our programs to improve our graduates' outcomes, and to supply lessons for the field. In 2020, we embarked on a journey to enhance evidence-building with MDRC, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Our partnership consisted of multiple components, including a paper on lessons learned while operating in New York during 2020's pandemic. 

MDRC created an online publication of their analysis of STRIVE - Pivoting and Planning: STRIVE’s Pandemic Progress. This report mentioned that “the pandemic heightened flexibility and responsiveness with the entire STRIVE community, as the agency celebrated client successes and continually adjusted its strategies in New York”. STRIVE was one of the first organizations to take training classes online at the beginning of the pandemic. At STRIVE, we are continually adjusting our strategies to improve our programs’ efficiency to work for our students. To see the full report, click HERE.

Moreover, in 2020, STRIVE and MDRC evaluated the Career Path program in STRIVE New York, led by the Center for Applied Behavioral Science (CABS) at MDRC. CABS helped STRIVE better identify, clarify, and diagnose opportunities for enhancement in retention and alumni services. Much of that data informed changes made during the pandemic and our future plans as we look to blended virtual and in-person learning models in 2021. 

MDRC and STRIVE successfully developed an evaluation roadmap to strengthen evidence-building based on the collected data. STRIVE will be looking for funding opportunities as we continually test, evaluate, and develop high-quality programs. 

STRIVE Institute 2020

As 2020 winds down, we held the Virtual STRIVE Institute for our network to learn, reflect and connect. 115 STRIVE network members from across the country dedicated time to the best practices of workforce development. 

For two days of completely virtual panels, discussions, and workshops, all of STRIVE’s 12 sites, including our flagship in New York City, and the new STRIVE Atlanta, came together to share ideas, learn, and build our community. We were joined by our partners MDRC and Thrive NYC, along with special guests Abby Marquand from JPMorgan Chase, Jane Oates from WorkingNation, and Errika Moore from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

A common principle unites all of STRIVE: belief in the power of employment to advance broader equity. We know that our work has far-reaching effects on economic opportunity, social mobility, building strong families, and creating second chances. The panel “Race, Equity, and Workforce Development” speaks to STRIVE’s commitment to Equity for All. In particular, the panel focused on the digital skills gap seen primarily and unfortunately in Black and Brown communities. STRIVE sees the opportunity here to bolster digital skills and help Black and Brown individuals close the gap.  

STRIVE is proud to say that our affiliates have been agile and effective during the pandemic. Across all sites, 1000+ students have enrolled in programs, we have contacted 5000+ graduates, and secured 1000+ job placements for our students. Our national network strengthened individual local sites. With guidance, webinars to adapt to technology, iSTRIVE, and Apricot, we came out of the pandemic stronger. 

Mindful of the pandemic and the stress that comes from once in a century events, the Institute included a presentation by our partner, ThriveNYC. Mental health professionals explained what trauma and mental illness are, and how we can all process the collective trauma of COVID-19 in a healthy way. They also gave insight into how workplaces can foster better mental health for their workers.

STRIVE has done more than survive 2020. We remained focused on the needs of our students and graduates, providing better service through the strength of our network. STRIVE Institute provides a moment to dive in deeper on important areas, including lessons learned from accomplishing our strategic priorities such as the launch of STRIVE Atlanta, developing a national sectoral strategy, and creating a roadmap to evidence-building with MDRC and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. MDRC hosted a panel during the institute to foster better problem solving across our network. Their Center for Applied Behavioral Science (CABS) offered key insights and split participants into breakout rooms to test these innovative concepts.

We ended the Institute with a Big Picture discussion about the current landscape of workforce development, featuring special guests Abby Marquand from JPMorgan Chase, Jane Oates from WorkingNation, and Errika Moore from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. They discussed the current spotlight shining on racial equity issues: 

“Organizations who say they want to give people a chance, really don’t know the people they’re talking about, and you [STRIVE] do,” said Jane Oates. 

Errika Moore agreed, asking, “What are now the opportunities that [philanthropists] didn’t want to fund before, that they now have enlightenment and awareness to?” 

On the future of workforce, Abby Marquand emphasized the importance of equipping people “with the skills that will make them more nimble in any economy.” 

Looking to the future, STRIVE will be focusing on blending in person and virtual learning, continuing to improve and innovate in our programs, creating robust evidence-building, continuing our racial equity work, and continuing to grow. 

In his closing remarks, STRIVE CEO Phil Weinberg said it best: “I do believe, particularly in times of crisis, that we’re going to be stronger.” As a community, we are stronger together, and this institute was a celebration of that. 

#TogetherWeSTRIVE to celebrate our strength as a network with social media posts. Check out our social media and all the work our affiliates are doing as well!  

A Season of Thanks from STRIVE

In a year unlike any other, this Thanksgiving, we wanted to take a moment to say how grateful we are for YOU in this short video.

We are thankful for so much this year--the determination of our students, the resilience of our graduates, and the loyalty of our supporters.

There is much to celebrate, including our new location. STRIVE Atlanta graduated a pilot cohort this week, sending new graduates into the workforce. (click here to see their graduation). We welcome them into our community.

We believe deeply that everyone should be able to pursue their dreams. Together, we help graduates to thrive in a career, access their dreams and goals, and provide a better life for themselves and their families.

Thank you for being a part of the STRIVE community.

2020 Gala Videos

The STRIVE 2020 Virtual Gala: An Evening of Empowerment, aired live on October 29th at 7pm. It was an incredible night! Below are highlights from the evening.

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About STRIVE

How STRIVE reacted to 2020 to continue providing our students and graduates with support and job training services.

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Hidden Heroes

Spotlight on our Hidden Heroes, created especially for the 2020 Gala.

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Atlanta

Learn about STRIVE Atlanta, the first STRIVE-owned and -operated site outside of New York City.

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Honorees

From Mount Sinai, VP Human Resources, Valerie Orellana, and STRIVE graduate, Aaron Tejeda, accept the STRIVE 2020 Partnership award on behalf of Mount Sinai. Honorees Kasha Cacy, Global CEO of ENGINE, and Lynn Lewis, U.S. CEO of UM speak on their experiences and the importance of STRIVE, with special messages from Honorary Co-Chairs, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the honorable Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

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Student Testimonials

STRIVE Graduates speak from the heart at our 2020 Gala, and explain how STRIVE has impacted them.

News from Atlanta

Our Journey to Launch

Earlier this year STRIVE announced plans to expand, bringing its dynamic workforce model to support individuals and families in Atlanta. In a city of so much progress, prosperity and purpose, there remains the daunting reality that for some, economic mobility is out of reach. STRIVE provides effective, strategic and innovative solutions for individuals seeking a change for themselves and their families. We have set a goal to graduate 350 people within the first three years of full operations, offering a pathway toward family-sustaining careers.

Next month, STRIVE Atlanta will open our [virtual] doors, writing a new chapter as the first STRIVE-operated site outside of NYC. This would not be possible without an amazing group of supporters and early investors, including The Annie E. Casey Foundation and countless partners. A special and most heartfelt thank you to our Steering and Advisory Committee for providing such strong leadership, counsel and support over the last 18 months.

Time and time again I have seen the power of collaboration to affect change. I invite you to join me on this journey as we STRIVE to build the Atlanta we all want to see, one where employment and opportunity are inextricably tied.

Best,

Jomal Vailes

Executive Director, STRIVE Atlanta

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The Strive Career Path

STRIVE is a workforce development leader that has been successfully providing services to populations facing significant barriers to employment for over 35 years. Our model is a solution that works.

The STRIVE Career Path program uses a five-pillar model that has successfully supported more than 75,000 graduates enter and advance in the workplace, including: Career Coaching | STRIVE START - Job Readiness Training | Occupational Skills Training | Job Placement | Lifetime Supportive Services

In Atlanta, our tuition-free Certified Logistics Technician program offers all the skills and coaching needed to jumpstart a career in the supply chain industry, mastering the basics of Logistics with real world application. Graduates will receive industry-recognized credentials, on-the-job technical training, mentoring from industry veterans and an opportunity for career entry with competitive wages.

Through a special partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia, Chattahoochee Tech and Atlanta Technical College will provide technical instruction and hard skills training for the 2020-2021 Career Path program.

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STRIVE Atlanta Receives Racial Equity and Economic Mobility Workforce Grant

“Our region's workforce challenge is not solely about a skills gap; it is more gravely about access, alignment and the intention of a coalition of partners committed to creating a pathway to upward mobility.” -Jomal Vailes, Executive Director STRIVE Atlanta

STRIVE Atlanta joins CobbWorks, Inc., Georgia Building Trades Academy, Inc., Per Scholas (Atlanta), ReImagine ATL, and a collaboration between First Step Staffing and the City of Refuge as a 2020 recipient of the Atlanta CareerRise Racial Equity and Economic Mobility Workforce Grant, providing training scholarships for Atlanta residents.

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Together We Go Further!

STRIVE Atlanta is partnering with the Atlanta BeltLine to provide access to quality training and employment for residents along the Southside corridor and other BeltLine neighborhoods. The in-person portion of our fall 2020 Career Path training program will be offered at the Atlanta BeltLine Center, its state of the art headquarters facility at the historic Atlanta Stoveworks on the BeltLine Eastside Trail.

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Team Highlight

Bridging the Divide

In August, STRIVE Atlanta received a COVID Relief Fund grant to provide free Chromebooks, hotspots, noise-cancelling headphones and virtual job readiness workshops to a group of Atlanta residents engaging in virtual training, interviewing and employment.

Executive Director Jomal Vailes and Program Director Keren Cadet distributed the new devices to program participants, alumni and residents at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta.

Special thanks to Partnership for Southern Equity, United Way of Greater Atlanta and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

STRIVE Atlanta is pleased to welcome Keren Cadet as Program Director. Keren has over 15 years experience in the nonprofit field, specializing in social services, program management and community engagement. Keren has served the Atlanta community in key roles with several local agencies including The Center for Working Families, Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Keren received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia. A frequent presenter and speaker, she has a passion for working with diverse populations including women and girls, low-income communities, and communities of color.

Get Involved!

Major Updates: Advancing Equity, Funding, Atlanta Launch, and More.

Not everyone has equal access to the American Dream. STRIVE is proud to advance economic justice in Black and Brown communities nationwide.

STRIVE exists to remove the barriers that stand between our students and opportunity. We stand in solidarity in the fight for racial justice and equality.  

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Major Commitments from Foundations and Corporations on
COVID-19 Relief and Racial Equity

Since March, STRIVE has stood firmly with our students and alumni as they have encountered unprecedented hardships, sought new jobs, and worked hard to navigate work and life challenges.

 We thank our amazing donors who rallied to make a direct impact in addressing economic inequities.

Major investments were recently made from two long-standing partners: Goldman Sachs and Jefferies Financial Group. 

STRIVE is proud to be one of eight anchor grantees for the Goldman Sachs Fund for Racial Equity.

And we are proud to be a part of the Jefferies Global Coronavirus Relief Charity Day Fund.

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A special thanks to the following foundations and corporations for providing COVID-19 rapid relief funds:

• Annaly Capital Management 

• Cooley LLP

• Good+ Foundation

• Robin Hood Foundation 

• The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

Additionally, our community raised funds last month for our $40,000 matching gift challenge. Thank you to our anonymous donors who funded the match.

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STRIVE Atlanta Preparing for Launch

STRIVE Atlanta will be our first STRIVE-operated site outside of NYC. What we can't do alone, we can do together. Thank you to some of our early investors in Atlanta, including Atlanta CareerRise, for being such a strong catalyst for this new venture. STRIVE Atlanta will focus on training in communities south of the I-20 Highway, a community in great need. Virtual classes will start in late fall 2020 with logistics, warehousing, and industrial maintenance as the first career path. 

Moving one person 200% above the poverty line—a household income of $50,000 for a family of four—makes an economic impact. STRIVE Atlanta plans to graduate 375 people within the first three years of full operations and provide a pathway toward family-sustaining careers. 

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STRIVE Graduates Share Stories as Essential Workers

We are inspired by the resilience, grit, and hope from our graduates and students who are building a path to a career in essential industries that drive our communities forward.

In the face of the pandemic, hundreds of graduates have started new jobs across our network nationwide.

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STRIVING Together. The Power of Unity.

our graduates and students were in dire need of financial support during the start of the pandemic and NYC shutdown. Andrew Yang and Humanity Forward, SaverLife, and Neighborhood Trust teamed-up with STRIVE to provide $200,000 in direct cash support. 

As a result of this initiative, 200 students and alumni received $1,000 each. In addition, they received support from STRIVE and Neighborhood Trust for financial education.    

"On behalf of 200 students and alumni, I would like to thank Andrew Yang and Humanity Forward, SaverLife, and Neighborhood Trust for their generosity and support of our community. Your generous gift has enabled people to find stability, pay bills, and buy food during these challenging times."

-Lakythia Ferby, Executive Director, STRIVE New York

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In the News

PIX11 News airs feature story on how STRIVE is helping to place people in jobs and creating careers during the pandemic

STRIVE’s Lakythia Ferby, Executive Director, represents STRIVE NY in New York Workforce Recovery Group

Lindsay Rechler, author of Good Morning Zoom, will donate proceeds from her book to STRIVE and two other non-profits

STRIVE's Hidden Heroes of the Frontline

Not everyone has equal access to the American Dream.

STRIVE is here to change that.

We exist to remove the barriers that stand between our students and economic mobility that disproportionately impede Black and Brown communities.

That pursuit of economic justice is why we serve whom we do:

You’ve met these graduates as hidden heroes of the frontline, making our communities a better place. 

You see what we see in them: Talent. Determination. Value. 

Your donation to STRIVE helps to stop economic injustice. Give before June 30 and your donation will be matched up to $40,000. 

Every gift helps fund an immediate need:

• $50 gives a student the clothing and equipment needed for a new job

• $250 brings a student five remote one-on-one career coaching and support sessions with staff

• $500 provides the personal protective equipment needed for a graduating class to work in essential industries

Our students are determined to overcome the challenges placed in their way. They come to STRIVE ready to seize their own destiny, in pursuit of a life-changing career. 

We can’t do this without the partnership of donors like you. Thank you for supporting STRIVE and doubling your impact.  

STRIVE Stands in Solidarity with the Black Community

STRIVE's Hidden Heroes of the Frontline: Catana

Our graduates are our hidden heroes of the frontline, and we are inspired by their determination to keep their communities moving and operating safely during these extraordinarily difficult times. We are grateful that you believe in STRIVE and our work to help change the lives of those who face the biggest obstacles to employment.

Meet STRIVE graduate Catana, who is a construction project manager for Universal Construction Resources and part of the emergency response team that prevents disasters in NYC. After a year of incarceration, Catana went through 7 different programs that left her frustrated and still unemployed. Then she found STRIVE. Catana credits STRIVE for making her a stronger person and is proud to go to work every day and contribute to the community. Listen to her story:

You can have double the impact! Make a gift by June 15 and your donation will be matched, up to $40,000. Every gift funds an immediate need:

• $50 gives a student the clothing and equipment needed for a new job

• $250 brings a student five remote one-on-one career coaching and support sessions with staff

• $500 provides the personal protective equipment needed for a graduating class to work in essential industries

Your donations help STRIVE to care for and prepare our determined students for life-changing careers. Thanks to you, STRIVE’s hidden heroes across the nation are working diligently to help our communities. Will you support them with a hidden heroes gift?

Thank you for your generosity.

Student Story: Catana

Catana was involved in the street life growing up, so she wanted to provide her daughter with a better childhood than she had had. Unfortunately, she made a decision that landed her in prison. When she was released, she was ready to change her life, but found it difficult to find a job. She went to seven different programs, but none of them could help her. She was frustrated. However, her brother was a STRIVE graduate, and when she saw how well he was doing, Catana decided to try STRIVE’s program.

“STRIVE taught me how to dress professionally, shake hands properly, build a resume, and be confident in an interview. But most importantly, STRIVE dramatically changed me as a person,” Catana explained. “I was able to let go of all the feelings that were locked inside me and keeping me from getting the job I wanted.”

Catana graduated with her construction certifications and found a job, where she was soon promoted. She is now opening her own company, has bought a car and a home, and sent her daughter to college. Because of her time with STRIVE, her life and her family’s life have changed forever.

Honoring the Life & Legacy of Chris Hart-Wright

STRIVE honors the life and legacy of Christine Hart-Wright, who passed away on February 28th, 2020. Chris was the first Executive Director of STRIVE's site in Washington DC, making a difference in thousands of lives during her tenure from 1998-2013. With strength, charisma, and compassion, she built STRIVE DC from its foundation to be a place where every person who walked through the doors is treated with authenticity and respect.

Chris lived a lifetime of service and purpose. She served as a Board member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, a member of the District of Columbia Child Support Enforcement Guideline Commission, and a member of the National Child Support Association. In 2007, she won the Gelman, Rosenberg, Freedman Excellent in Chief Executive Leadership Award for her work in the nonprofit sector. She was always showing up for others within her community, whether teaching basic education skills at For the Love of Children or bringing friends and colleagues to various volunteer projects.

Those who knew her recall her strong character: as nurturing, compassionate, determined, passionate, and a warrior until the very end of her life. Friends and colleagues remember her as someone who lived life to the fullest and always having a project going, from writing grants for a local high school choir to attending trapeze school. Hundreds of people whose lives she touched attended her memorial service, a testament to the impact she had one everyone around her.

STRIVE is grateful to Chris for sharing her personality and strength with our organization and all those in it. Every day, she met everyone she saw with incredible kindness and energy. We celebrate her as one of STRIVE’s many heroes.

STRIVE's Hidden Heroes of the Frontline: Erika

At STRIVE, no matter where in life a person is when they walk through our doors, they leave with the skills and confidence necessary to excel in careers that make them essential to their communities. 

We’ve seen many of our students and graduates heroically helping protect their communities during this pandemic. STRIVE is honored to share their untold stories of what it’s like to be a hidden hero of the frontline.

This week we are celebrating STRIVE graduate Erika, a safety administrator for Monadnock Construction, which builds affordable housing in NYC. Erika was unemployed for a year and needed to make a change. She signed up for our construction cohort, and now has a thriving career as an essential worker.

Every day, Erika visits 3 to 4 construction sites and makes sure the workers are following safety guidelines, including those protecting all workers from COVID-19. Grateful to have a job, Erika describes what it's like to be a frontline worker during the pandemic in this video: 

We support Erika and the countless STRIVE hidden heroes working in our communities nationwide. Thank you for believing in STRIVE. Your donations continue to prepare those who face the biggest obstacles to employment for new, life-changing careers, even in these difficult times.

STRIVE is proud to partner with Urban Strategies for their work with Monadnock Construction.

Student Story: Erika

After a year of being unemployed, Erika decided she wanted to go back into construction, but didn’t know how to go about it. She knew she needed to take the next step somehow, and after doing research, she found STRIVE. She was very surprised to learn that STRIVE’s services are all completely free, and signed up for STRIVE’s construction cohort.

STRIVE’s free resources and training helped prepare Erika and put her on the path to her desired career. Less than one week after Erika’s last class at STRIVE, with the help of her career coach, she went on an interview with a construction company for a safety administrator position and was offered the job!

STRIVE helped Erika learn that holding back on the confidence she already has would only keep her from being her best self. Four months later Erika is thriving at her job at Monadnock Construction!

“I am so happy and grateful to STRIVE for providing me with this opportunity. Thanks to STRIVE I feel so much more confident and motivated to keep on striving,” Erika said.

STRIVE is proud to partner with Urban Strategies for their work with Monadnock Construction.

STRIVE's Hidden Heroes of the Frontline: Che

Heroes can come from anywhere.

At STRIVE, we’ve seen many of our graduates protect their communities during this pandemic. We’re more proud of them than ever, and we're determined to give their heroism the spotlight it deserves with firsthand stories of resilience, grit, and hope. 

This week we are celebrating Che, a STRIVE graduate working in building maintenance at a women’s homeless shelter. Every day, while most of us stay home, Che does the essential work of ensuring safety and protection from COVID-19 at the shelter, harnessing the teamwork and job skills he learned at STRIVE to truly save lives. Watch his video of what it's like to go to work on the frontline:

STRIVE is honored to be a part of so many hidden heroes’ stories, helping those historically left behind by America’s job market find and maintain stable, fulfilling careers. In these trying times, more than ever, we're especially grateful to our generous donors who help us change lives, helping even more people become the heroes they’re meant to be.

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