Career Pathways

Equipping opportunity youth and adults with the skills and training to further their education, employment and career.

Why Invest in Career Pathways

Connecting youth and adults to meaningful career pathways is critical for economic growth. But many individuals are unable to access opportunities or secure stable employment. With the impacts of the pandemic, there are now more people in our region “disconnected” from school and the workforce than ever before.

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and our community partners prioritize reconnecting young people and adults to education, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities as a core strategy toward ending poverty in our region.

Now, more than ever, your support means promising futures for all.

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I understand the disconnect, bias and anger marginalized youth feel. I also know how people who truly believe in you,

can drastically change your path.

- Michael Banks, Managing Director, Career Pathways

A UPenn graduate and nonprofit leader, Mr. Banks fights for social justice by connecting young people and entrepreneurs to life-changing, community-lifting opportunities.

The Latest

Career Pathways

The Philadelphia Tribune: United Way launches initiative to build equitable entrepreneurship ecosystem

November 17, 2021

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey has launched an effort to build an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Built By Philly initiative is...

Career Pathways

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Launches Built by Philly; Announces $750,000 Investment from JPMorgan Chase to

November 16, 2021

PHILADELPHIA, PA – To mark National Entrepreneurs’ Day, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) kicked off the next phase of its...

Career Pathways

Eagles Character Playbook LIVE

October 21, 2021

Character Playbook is an NFL and United Way-sponsored program that teaches middle school students about cultivating and maintaining healthy relationships in the game, in the...

Career Pathways Approach

Investing in proven, evidence-based community partners that drive measurable change
Identifying gaps in the region’s early learning ecosystem
Advocating for critical issues across community and legislative partners
Promoting next-generation best practices to engage youth in the larger economy.

EDUCATION

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey supports our partners in ensuring young people receive academic support and access to quality out-of-school programming.

All so they can stay on track and get their high school diploma or GED certificate, and be well positioned for continuing their education and entering the workforce.

EMPLOYMENT

Together with our partners, we support equitable access to career-building opportunities— especially for youth who face steep barriers entering our region’s workforce.

We focus on training and learn-and-earn apprenticeships that: build knowledge, skills and confidence; provide exposure to in-demand, family-sustaining jobs; and encourage high school graduation.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is supporting the build-out of an ecosystem for underrepresented entrepreneurs and business leaders.

We partner with organizations whose programs help entrepreneurs secure capital, navigate the fragmented support system and change the narrative around business ownership in this region.

BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE, RESILIENT PHILADELPHIA

Built By Philly to elevate local entrepreneurship ecosystems to level the playing field for entrepreneurs and small business owners of color.

A proposed path forward to address historical racial barriers limiting access to entrepreneurial capital, business education and services, while creating new avenues for all of the city’s entrepreneurs to start, sustain, and scale their businesses.

SEE THE FULL REPORT