One of the most important elements of career-connected learning is ensuring that all students, regardless of background or community, have the opportunity to access these resources. However, many socioeconomic factors make these experiences feel just out of reach and contribute to the information gap. In fact, while 79% of high schoolers would be interested in a work-based learning experience, only 34% were aware of any opportunities for students their age. And while our most recent survey found a small increase in the number of businesses offering internship opportunities — from 30% in 2018 to 38% five years later — the number of available opportunities remains low.
That’s why Britebound™ is proud to support Cultivate Pathways and The Immokalee Foundation, two organizations committed to ensuring that students from underrepresented and underserved communities have access to opportunities for career readiness education and work-based learning experiences.
Keep reading to learn more.
Opening Doors for Multilingual Learners
Cultivate Pathways is an organization based in Lynn, MA with a mission to forge equitable college and career training opportunities for multilingual students that lead to fulfilling careers and family-sustaining wages. Using their school partnership model, Cultivate Pathways provides multilingual college advising and career-connected learning experiences that nurture students’ talents and help them use that passion to build successful career paths.
The overall goal is to provide multilingual students with the knowledge and tools needed to gain economic mobility and prosperity through work-based learning experiences, earning industry-valued credentials and certifications for in-demand careers, and the opportunity to build professional networks through mentorship and their career readiness training.
“Cultivate Pathways opens doors to career opportunities that otherwise would be out of reach. Ninety-five percent of our multilingual learner participants go on to college or career training. We are grateful for Britebound’s support which is an investment in multilingual learner futures.” — Michele Rudy, Executive Director, Cultivate Pathways
With the funds from Britebound’s grant, Cultivate Pathways is expanding their bilingual CCL to English learners in middle and high school, providing work-based learning experiences in digital literacy, IT, web design, computer programming, and culturally responsive family engagement.
Building Pathways to Success
The Immokalee Foundation is dedicated to empowering underserved kids in Immokalee, FL by providing them with the resources and confidence to help them achieve postsecondary success and beyond.
Their Career Pathways program, which begins in middle school, gives students from families that have worked as migrant farmworkers for generations an opportunity to learn about in-demand careers in Southwest Florida that provide financial independence. The organization offers four potential pathways for participants to explore: Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Education and Human Services, Engineering and Construction Management, and Healthcare.
“At The Immokalee Foundation, we believe that every young person, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and pursue a meaningful career. Britebound’s support helps us drive innovative solutions that empower the youth of Immokalee with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in high-demand professions while meeting the future workforce needs of our community. Together, we’re building a stronger, more equitable pathway to success for the next generation.” — Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO, The Immokalee Foundation
With their grant from Britebound, the Immokalee Foundation will continue to run their Career Pathways program to inspire and prepare more young people for a successful future.
Through our support of Cultivate Pathways and The Immokalee Foundation, Britebound is hoping to build more equitable postsecondary pathway options for young people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, which will in turn contribute to a strong, diverse workforce.
