1 ORGS · 44 ACTIVITIES ← all strategies ·
theory of action →

Progressive Skill Building

By providing tiered, hands-on workforce experiences in real-world settings, teens develop workforce readiness and leadership skills, because sequential, experiential learning reinforces competence, confidence, and responsibility over time. This strategy uses a structured, multi-level approach where youth advance through increasingly complex responsibilities—such as managing a café or leading peer teams—to build practical skills and leadership. Unlike one-off training or isolated mentorship, this model integrates skill development into authentic operations, allowing youth to apply learning in context and gain tangible experience. It stands out by combining workforce readiness with real-time community engagement and entrepreneurial practice.

1
orgs running it
44
activities of those orgs
12
clusters touched
who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 1

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

  • Academic Mentoring and Support The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Operates an Academic Mentoring Program that matches students with mentors to set and achieve academic goals, provides tutors for subject matter support, and offers a dedicated space (The Learning Lab) for schoolwork during drop-in hours.
  • Academic Mentoring and Support The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Provides an Academic Mentoring Program that matches students with mentors to set and achieve academic goals, offers tutoring for subject matter support, and provides a dedicated space (The Learning Lab) for schoolwork during drop-in hours.
  • Academic Mentoring and Tutoring The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Provides an Academic Mentoring Program that matches students with mentors to set and achieve academic goals, offers subject matter tutoring, and provides a dedicated space for schoolwork during drop-in hours.
  • Adventure and Outdoor Programs The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Organizes a 5-day wilderness adventure twice a year, a week-long summer Adventure Camp, biweekly Adventure Club outings across Arizona, and other outdoor activities including multi-day river adventures.
  • After-School Drop-in Program The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Operates a year-round after-school drop-in program for teens ages 12-18, providing a safe space with access to various activity rooms (Art, Music, Game, Lounge) and continuous supervision.
  • After-School Drop-in Program The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Operates a year-round after-school drop-in program for teens ages 12-18, providing a safe space with access to various activity rooms (Art, Music, Game, Lounge) and continuous supervision during all on-site activities.
  • Cafe Operations The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Operates a cafe with scheduled daily hours, which also serves as a training ground for teen apprentices.
  • Circle Based Mentoring The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Operates Circle Based Mentoring groups for boys, girls, coed groups, and juvenile justice programs, both in local schools and at The Launch Pad, providing a safe space for sharing and developing communication skills.
  • Circle Based Mentoring Groups The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Operates Circle Based Mentoring groups for boys, girls, coed groups, and juvenile justice programs, both in local schools and at The Launch Pad, providing a safe space for sharing and developing communication skills.
  • Circle-Based Mentoring The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Operates Circle Based Mentoring groups for boys, girls, coed groups, and juvenile justice programs, both in local schools and at The Launch Pad, providing a safe space for sharing and developing communication skills.
  • Community Events and Clubs The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Organizes age-specific programs including dances and music shows for middle and high school students, hosts a variety of events for teens and the community, and offers ongoing weekly clubs for teens in specific interest areas like Dungeons & Dragons, music, creative writing, art, and adventure.
  • Community Events and Outreach The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Hosts a variety of events for teens and the community, including music shows, open mic nights, and annual fundraisers, and conducts outreach at community events to raise awareness about youth programs.
  • Community Outreach and Engagement The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Conducts outreach at community events to raise awareness about youth programs and connects teens with business expertise through workshops, internships, or career mentoring.
  • Food and Meal Provision The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Provides free daily meals during drop-in hours, offers sack lunch pick-up for the following school day, and provides free school lunches to teens in need through its All Access Pass program.
  • Free Meals and Food Support The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Provides free daily meals during drop-in hours and offers free school lunches to teens in need through its All Access Pass program, including sack lunch pick-up for the following school day.
  • Free Meals and Food Support The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Provides free daily meals during drop-in hours, offers sack lunch pick-up for the following school day, and provides free school lunches to teens in need through its All Access Pass program.
  • Internship Placements The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Facilitates internship placements with local organizations for teens who have completed initial program levels, connecting them with business expertise and career mentoring.
  • Internship and Employment Placement The Launch Pad Teen Center
    direct service
    Facilitates internship placements with local organizations for teens who have completed initial program levels and manages Project Launch to connect teens with apprenticeship, internship, and employment opportunities.