Thursday, November 30, 2023
Introducing: StreetWise Bridge
Same high-quality mentoring program. New high-quality name.
Since 1997, StreetWise Partners has advanced economic equity by pairing underrepresented talent to volunteer mentors. Our mentors help mentees gain the skills, resources, and access to networks they need to get and maintain a job. Through this work, StreetWise Partners has served as a bridge for more than 8,000 adults through the support of 15,000 volunteers since its inception.
We are the bridge to connect unemployed and underemployed people with career opportunities.
We are the bridge to unite people as they make their way in corporate America.
We are the bridge to close the opportunity gap.
This is the foundation we are built on, and the inspiration behind our new program name: StreetWise Bridge.
“The team here at StreetWise is so excited to unveil the new name today,” said Shari Krull, StreetWise Partners’ CEO. “StreetWise Bridge perfectly captures the spirit of our mission and the career journey our job seekers follow as they gain a mentor and build a bridge to their success.”
What is StreetWise Bridge?
StreetWise Bridge is our 1:1 mentoring program that provides one-on-one career development support for adults from under-served communities. The program operates in three phases:
Navigating the StreetWise Bridge, when mentors and mentees spend 13 weeks building critical job preparation skills. This includes everything from building a stand-out LinkedIn profile and targeted career map to practicing skills through mock interviews and speed-networking events.
Activating the StreetWise Bridge, when mentees – now job seekers — apply their new skills and resources to secure employment. This phase includes nine months of continued mentorship and 1:1 coaching, as well as support from our Talent Services team to connect job seekers with open jobs and internship roles.
Beyond the StreetWise Bridge, which supports graduates with ongoing mentorship, relationships, and skills — Talent Services for life. This includes several opportunities to help alumni not only advance their own career but also give back to other mentees. Want to see where our alumni are today? Check out our Success Stories.
The bridge to success
In today’s job world, professional skills and networks are just as important as education but aren’t distributed equally. Factors like where you grow up and go to school and whether your parents are college educated can make a significant impact — 12 times the advantage, — in gaining access to opportunity.
StreetWise Bridge helps to level that playing field. We envision a society where hard work and self-determination is enough for job and career success. Some of the deep impact we have includes:
85% of our participants graduate
70% of graduates are employed
Income increases from $15K to $50K+ on average
Professional networks increase from 0 to 100+ contacts
90% of graduates reported an increase in confidence, job preparation and public speaking ability
And every $1 dollar invested in StreetWise yields 3X the financial gain in job seeker wages. That's an outcome that continues to increase for a lifetime!
Gain a mentor, bridge your success
StreetWise Bridge has a new tagline also, “Gain a mentor, bridge your success.”
StreetWise Bridge has established a proven track record to advance economic mobility. Mentorship bridges success through exposure, experiential learning, problem solving, industry knowledge, and building social capital. Learn more and become a mentee, mentor, volunteer, partner or donate today!