For Alison, her Promotor helped her apply for financial aid and scholarships, and she was accepted to Trinity University in Washington, DC. Alison's Promotor then helped her apply for the necessary benefits to provide for her children, so that Alison could focus on her education.
Alison also enrolled in a volunteer work program, where she was placed at a DC-area hospital and later was able to secure a paid position. And with her Promotor's help, she applied for and received a placement in an apartment for her family through a transitional housing program.
Alison is now in her third year as a full-time college student, works part-time at the hospital, and cares for her children.
The Latin American Youth Center received a Social Innovation Fund grant through Venture Philanthropy Partners for almost $1 million over a two-year period. With this funding, LAYC is expanding its work to reach hundreds more individuals in the National Capital Region.
Launched in 2010 and managed by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the Social Innovation Fund invests money in nonprofits and foundations, so they can accelerate the work of high-impact organizations and replicate their approaches in new localities and markets.
The work of organizations like the Latin American Youth Center can help increase our understanding of what works to tackle our most pressing social needs. They provide a glimpse into what can enable more young adults to get on and stay on the path to success – and, hopefully, turn the odds in their favor.
Alison's story highlights how social innovators are strengthening our communities and addressing social needs across the country. We hope stories like this inspire you to think creatively and take action in your own community.
Jonathan Greenblatt is Director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.
The Social Innovation Fund is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service intended to improve the lives of people in low-income communities. It does so by mobilizing public and private resources to grow promising, innovative community-based solutions that have evidence of compelling impact in three areas of priority need: economic opportunity, healthy futures, and youth development.
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