Our Story

StreetWise Partners was founded in New York City in 1997 when a group of young professionals recognized that they had access to resources that could help address economic inequality. They had career experience, professional networks and an eagerness to share this with others. They realized they could use these resources to help individuals who lacked role models and networks within their communities. With a small investment and a borrowed conference room, the founders launched an innovative mentoring program that grew into StreetWise Partners. In 2006, the organization expanded its operations to the D.C. Metro area. 

Our one-year mentoring program provides customized, individualized attention to adult job seekers while helping them establish an expansive professional network made up of hundreds of advocates who open doors and support long-term career success. Since its inception, the organization has served 10,000 adults through the support of 15,000 volunteers.   

We believe that a job represents more than just a paycheck. It is a sense of purpose, a reason to get up in the morning, a sense of community and financial stability. However, unemployed and underemployed adults from some communities have been denied access to middle wage jobs due to structural inequity. Even those who have hit the right milestones – graduating college or a training program – are still at a disadvantage. Estimates suggest that 70% of all jobs are not published on publicly available job search sites and 80% of jobs are filled through networking. Because of where they were born, what they look like, or the communities they represent, they often 1) lack access to job opportunities that would provide access to middle wage employment, 2) lack access to professional development skills, resources and experiential learning, and 3) lack social capital which includes role models, references and advocates.