Since 2020 , Fostering Connections has provided a Career Readiness Academy program that provides foundational job skills training for teens aged 14-18 who have been impacted by foster care or trauma . Career Readiness Academy has grown to serve more than 20 young people per year in five counties throughout Northeast Florida , from Jacksonville to Daytona Beach . Students are referred to the Career Readiness Academy through Community Based Care ( CBC ) agencies , schools and families . Fostering Connections serves young people currently in foster care , youth who have been adopted and youth receiving nonjudicial case management services .
The purpose of the Career Readiness Academy program is to help teens identify careers that match their interests and talents , build a toolbox of resources to use when applying for jobs , learn communication and job interview skills and prepare to become valuable team members in both the school and workplace settings .
Fostering Connections has built its own program curriculum that is activity-based and trauma-informed . Workshops are led by Fostering Connections team members alongside industry experts .
Upon graduation from Career Readiness Academy , students have the opportunity to participate in job shadowing and internships . Each student receives a stipend for participating in job shadowing and internships .
The program has received consistently positive feedback from students and caregivers , “ Each of my four girls expressed how wonderful the program was and how much they learned .”
“ Fostering Connections has made a huge difference in my ability to help our caregivers through such challenging times ,” a Guardian Child Advocate Manager shared .
Two local volunteers and Fostering Connections Founder & CEO , Aubrie Simpson-Gotham ( center ), support the Career Readiness Academy program that provides foundational job skills training for teens aged 14-18 who have been impacted by foster care or trauma
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