In an effort to advance the economic progress of Black and Latina young women in the Phoenix-metro area, Valley of the Sun United Way has convened a cross-sectional collaboration of organizations from the nonprofit, education, business, and government sectors, to address systemic issues of access and equity. This will be done by working with partners, and those with lived experience, to create and implement innovative solutions. Knowing that systems do not exist in a vacuum, partners will work together to ensure synergy across opportunity systems in order to create intersectional solutions that drive systemic change.

Partners will also work together to remove barriers on a systemic level and create greater opportunities by establishing pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships, internships, mentoring, and academic opportunities for program participants.

Early work experiences enable youth to gain technical skills, soft skills, and professional networks that lead to prosperous career pathways. Unfortunately, lower income Black and Latina young women often don’t have access to these opportunities, making it nearly impossible to be on equal footing when entering the workforce. This creates a significant wealth gap. In Arizona, Black women make $0.64, and Latina women make $0.53 for every dollar white, non-Hispanic men make.

Valley of the Sun United Way, Chicanos Por La Causa, Center for the Future of Arizona, Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, Year Up, YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, Southwest Human Development, and Pipeline AZ effort’s will focus on upskilling, providing internships, pre- apprenticeships, and apprenticeships to young Black and Latina women.

Participants, Learn More Link #4 Learn More Link #4 click here to learn more and to register.

Employers, Learn More Link #5 Learn More Link #5 click here to learn more and to register.

Mentors, Learn More Link #6 Learn More Link #6 click here to learn more and to register.

To register for the upcoming virtual Speaker Series on Thursday, May 10th click here!