Investing in Youth Career Readiness

CAREER ACADEMIES

Through intentional, innovative education, youth from low-income households and Youth of Color in the Greater Twin Cities will have clear pathways to wealth-building careers with zero college debt.

CLEARING THE WAY FOR BRILLIANT FUTURES

TRANSFORMING INEQUITY INTO OPPORTUNITIY

Minnesota’s achievement gaps indicate we are not successfully preparing Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, Pacific Islander and Youth of Color for future success. By bringing a proven career pathways approach to local school districts, we can reduce disparate educational outcomes, close the racial wage gap and fortify our region’s much-needed talent pool.

16%

graduation rate disparity between white students and Students of Color

17%

of high school graduates are unprepared for college

317,000

jobs in Minnesota will be unfilled by 2025

$31,500

annual wage gap between white people and People of Color in the Twin Cities

“The program really pushed me to want to be something. My dad is the proudest guy in the world, and he says my sister now has someone to look up to.”

– Lesly, Career Academies Student

THE ROLE OF CAREER ACADEMIES

Partnering with school districts across Minnesota, Career Academies provides specialized funding, technical assistance and coaching, and a platform for peer-to-peer support focused on building sustainable career pathways alongside local businesses.

Together, we work to ensure students in grades 9 to 14 have equitable access to college credits, rigorous and relevant curriculums, and meaningful and supportive work experiences.

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OUR IMPACT

Centering Youth Voice and Equity in Education

We have identified inspirational guiding principles to approach a new, uncertain school year – principles that are centered on equity, student experience and wealth-building.

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Accountability is Key to Keeping it Real

Funding focused on providing organizations the flexibility to get students and families what they needed most, including access to basic needs like food and rental support, academic supports, and culturally relevant mental health resources.

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Supporting Students with Real-World Summer Work Experiences

Organizations and companies that have taken the time to center real-world work opportunities that combine passion, pay and flexibility will ultimately be poised to partner and support young people on their career journey this summer.

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JOIN US AS A CHANGEMAKER

GET INVOLVED

Learn how you can support programs like Career Academies and other innovative solutions that fuel lasting change.

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OUR IMPACT

Career Academies is just one part of the work Greater Twin Cities United Way does to develop innovative solutions to the challenges our communities face.

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