The Postsecondary Success Program is an initiative of the Center for Community Partnerships at UVA designed to help young people identify their goals and build pathways toward education, employment, and future success.
- What We Do
The Postsecondary Success Program provides individualized, relationship-based support that connects young people to opportunities and resources in the community.
Participants can receive support with:
- Education and Postsecondary Planning: Explore college, community college, certification programs, apprenticeships, enlistment, and other education and training opportunities.
- Career Exploration and Employment: Identify interests and strengths, explore careers and job opportunities, prepare for employment through resume, application, and interview skill building.
- Individual Coaching and Mentorship: Work one-on-one with a trusted adult to set goals, create a plan, navigate challenges, and stay connected along the way.
- Resource Navigation: Identify challenges such as transportation, childcare, housing, and technology, and making connections to community resources to find solutions.
- Creative Engagement: Participate in creative opportunities that help young people build confidence, explore identity, develop communication skills, and strengthen their sense of belonging.
A key tool in this work is Network2Work - a career navigation platform that helps young people identify pathways, connect with local opportunities, and access the resources needed to achieve their goals.
- Who We Serve
We support young people in Charlottesville and Albemarle County who could benefit from additional support and connecting to their next step.
This may include young people who are:
- Still in high school but uncertain about what comes next
- At risk of leaving school without a clear pathway
- No longer enrolled in school
- Unemployed or underemployed
- Interested in college, career training, certification, or an apprenticeship but unsure how to begin
- Returning to the community following involvement with the juvenile justice system
- Facing barriers that make education or employment difficult to access
- How We Help
Every young person’s path is different, and many face barriers that make it difficult to stay connected to school or work. By surrounding young people with coordinated support from schools, community organizations, employers, and caring adults, we help them build on their strengths, overcome barriers, and successfully transition into education, technical training, careers, or other opportunities.
- Long-Term Goals
- Increasing youth engagement in education and employment
- Expanding access to career exploration and workforce opportunities
- Building stronger connections between schools and community partners
- Improving postsecondary and employment outcomes
- Helping young people develop confidence, resilience, and long-term stability
