The Career Readiness Academy is a job training program held twice a year for teens in foster care.

Students learn the foundational skills they need to secure a job; applying for a job, writing a resume, interview skills, basic banking, customer service skills, and working as a team. These skills are covered through hands on learning opportunities and games. 

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Students who complete our program:

-Improve their communication skills.

-Learn to work collaboratively with others.

-Identify careers that interest them.

-Create a vision board and set goals for their future.

-Learn foundational job skills.

-Practice what they learn through mock interviews, job shadowing, and internship experiences. All students complete job shadowing and mock interviews during our weeklong program, receiving a stipend. Graduates ages 16-18 will complete a 30 hour internship program following program graduation.

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Thank you for a successful 2023 Career Readiness Academy: 

Jacksonville Humane Society, Chisholm Community Center, Chef Bri Murray from Culinary Experiences LLC, Keith Manze from First Florida Credit Union, EY US Jacksonville team, Tale Tellers of St. Augustine, Rotary Club of St. Augustine, UNF Assistant Professor of Public Relations Rachel Riggs, Alicia Williams-Bratzell, Andrea Delancy, Isaiah Gunther, Audrey White, Gail Wilson, and all of our volunteers and donors! 

2024 Dates Coming Soon.

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Career Readiness Academy Giving Opportunities 

• Provide brand new Dell laptop computers for Career Readiness Academy graduates. 25 laptop computers are needed. $800 provides one laptop computer

 

• Give laptop computers to Fostering Connections for students to use during class sessions.​

 

• Sponsor student job shadowing stipends. $150 provides a stipend for one student.

 

• Give in-kind brand new work attire, hair, and makeup services for our students on the final day of class.

 

• Provide gift cards and gas cards to thank caregivers for bringing students to class and assist with the cost of transporting students to class.

 

 Donate here

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