Launchpad: Launching youth toward economic independence

Youth economic advancement

South LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Youth from low-income communities face systemic barriers to education and career readiness that limit their long-term economic mobility. Many of the transition-age youth (TAY) we serve lack access to mentors who reflect their experiences. Traditional one-size-fits-all programs often overlook their voices and fail to build the core competences needed for success. Without individualized guidance, youth are less likely to graduate, pursue higher education, or find stable employment. Research shows that mentored youth are 130% more likely to hold leadership roles, yet few models are culturally grounded or designed with youth input. We seek to change that by offering youth-centered, tech-powered mentorship that supports each young person on a pathway of their own making.

Launchpad reimagines traditional mentorship by taking a youth-focused and technology-based approach. It helps TAY build skills and social capital required to navigate their future, improving their long-term economic potential. Launchpad consists of four phases using Airtable as the interactive hub for all activities: (1) Youth develop a step-by-step plan toward college or employment, two of the most reliable routes to economic stability. The blueprint is unique to each youth to align with their goals with actionable steps in real-time. They also receive exposure to career options, trade/vocational training programs, and resources to pursue college, like FAFSA support. (2) Youth build foundational career and financial literacy skills such as resume building, interview prep, and managing income, increasing their employability. The Airtable hub deepens engagement through hands-on exercises and embedded learning tools. (3) Youth connect with culturally grounded mentors in the Airtable-powered Mentor Marketplace, expanding social and professional networks and improving their ability to secure employment/college acceptance. (4) Youth are placed in paid internship opportunities, providing early exposure to the workforce while building tangible skills. This improves their job readiness, leading to economic stability and financial independence. Airtable becomes a real-time experience tracker with check-ins and reflections logged by youth, advisors and mentors.

Launchpad will enable youth in South LA and beyond to graduate with a clear, personalized roadmap toward college, trade school, or the workforce–equipped with the skills, confidence and support to thrive. Our expansion model is to scale Launchpad through school and WorkSource Center partnerships, transforming Launchpad into a county-wide digital hub for career exploration and mentorship. This will increase high school graduation rates, improve post-secondary enrollment and boost youth employment, while reducing reliance on federally funded programs like Job Corps and easing demand on public systems. By developing talent from within our most underserved neighborhoods, we support our youth as they advance in LA’s job market, strengthening LA County’s economy, building financial independence and self-sufficiency, and creating safer and stronger communities.