Urban Alliance, launched in 1996, is building a diverse next-generation workforce by providing job skills training, mentoring, and paid internships to high school youth from under-resourced communities, predominantly youth of color. To learn more about the organization, I spoke with Elizabeth Lindsey, CEO of Urban Alliance.

IS: What is your organization’s mission? 

EL: Urban Alliance is a nonprofit that connects young adults with paid work experiences, professional development, dedicated mentoring, and networking opportunities to help them achieve economic mobility. This is our 25th year and since 1996, we have provided over 6,000 internships to high school students in greater Washington, DC (including Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Northern Virginia), Baltimore, Chicago, and Detroit.

IS: Tell us about your organization’s areas of interest, the community or communities you serve, and how your work relates to the goal of a healthy nonprofit sector so that everyone can thrive.

EL: All of our work is guided by the principle that students come first, always. That is the foundation of how we work. We collaborate with school districts and more than 200 employer partners to build career pathways in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors — connecting rising high school seniors to the workforce or college. We believe that all young people deserve equal access to diverse resources and opportunities that will help them thrive, excel, and succeed in whatever path they choose.

IS: As an Independent Sector community member, what are you looking forward to that will help your organization better achieve your mission and serve your community?

EL: We value the opportunity to share our work, exchange ideas, and engage with other nonprofits, foundations, and community leaders who believe in creating equitable opportunities, resources, and models of success to uplift young people and the communities where they live, work, and go to school.

Read the full article about diverse workforce training programs by Lawrence Abbey at Independent Sector.