launching Pad Network
We Rise
By Lifting Others
OUR MISSION
To prepare current and emancipated foster youth to enter the workforce by providing personal development, career preparedness and job employment programs. Our goal is set young people up for success in the workplace and empower them change the trajectory of their lives!hange the font. This is the place for you to tell your site visitors a little bit about you and your services.
LAUNCHING PAD NETWORK shines a light on the amazing potential of young adults in the foster care system, and empowers them to reach their dreams! Our community partners play a significant role in ensuring that foster youth receive the support, guidance, and mentorship they need to succeed in life.
Chris 180 Tour
“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.”
— John C. Maxwell
Why Mentorship Matters
On any given day there are approximately 440,000 kids in foster care
More than 17,000 young people age out of foster care without permanent families, annually. Research has shown that those who leave care without being linked to strong mentores or forever families have a higher likelihood than youth in the general population to experience homelessness, unemployment and incarceration as adults.
The FBI estimates sex trafficking in the U.S. involves 100,000 children and 60% of child sex trafficking victims recovered through FBI raids across the U.S. are from foster care or group homes.
Why Mentorship Matters
On any given day there are approximately 440,000 kids in foster care
More than 17,000 young people age out of foster care without permanent families, annually. Research has shown that those who leave care without being linked to strong mentores or forever families have a higher likelihood than youth in the general population to experience homelessness, unemployment and incarceration as adults.
The FBI estimates sex trafficking in the U.S. involves 100,000 children and 60% of child sex trafficking victims recovered through FBI raids across the U.S. are from foster care or group homes.
OUR PROGRAMS
Personal Development Program
Support us in equipping our foster youth with the capacity to positively transform their lives!
Whether we are exposing mentees to new experiences or career paths, providing etiquette classes, leading Interview and Workplace Preparedness workshops, focusing on personal finance or simply discussing life skills – our goal is to assist foster youth in a successful transition into adulthood.
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Career Preparedness & Leadership Program
Help us to build future leaders and changemakers!
Foster youth and those who’ve aged out of the foster care system experience tremendously high rates of unemployment, homelessness and poverty. We are doing our best to change this reality preparing each mentee for the interview process, ensuring they make a great impression by providing proper attire, and setting up systems that give them a solid foundation for job readiness with the ultimate goal of successful employment. In addition, our Leadership Certification course provides young adults with the fundamental tools needed to stand out in the workplace and become future leaders!
Job Training & Internship Program
Aid us in preparing foster youth for better career opportunities!​
One of the biggest challenges faced by foster youth is a lack of preparation for entering the workforce. As a result, we help to plant them firmly on the road to success by provide them with access to a Career Day Outings that expose them to different lines of work. Working closely with a number of partner organizations and businesses in the Atlanta area, The Launching Pad Network matches foster youth with mentors and provides job readiness training, job shadowing opportunities, and internships in industries within their individual areas of career interest. Our goal is to build a pipeline of leaders and future mentors!
Meet Our Founder
Inspired by the strength, resilience and courage of the foster youth she serves and driven by a passion for mentoring young people, Sue McCormick formed The Launching Pad Network.
What began as a desire to simply help foster youth prepare for their transition into adulthood has turned into a rapidly growing collective of passionate mentors and brilliant mentees!
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An adoptee herself, Sue has always felt a deep sense of gratitude for the love, guidance and support she received from her wonderful parents and extended family. This fuels her passion for ensuring foster youth are afforded the same backing to help usher them into adulthood.
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Sue has had a successful career in hospitality for over 30 years. Starting out as a front desk clerk many years ago, she now serves as Regional Vice President for a hotel management company and has become a trusted advisor to many. Through her path, she’s developed expertise in navigating career changes, career reinvention, inspired leadership, life & work strategies, as well as intra and entrepreneurship. She’s mentored many talented people who have gone on to cultivate flourishing careers both in hospitality and outside of this field.
SUPPORT US
VOLUNTEER
Make a difference as a mentor. You can become a powerful, positive force in the life of a young adult. Studies show that those who have at least one consistent and caring mentor in their lives benefit from less trouble with law enforcement, better relationship and communication skills and higher self-esteem. Contact us to learn more about mentorship opportunities!
MAKE A DONATION
When you make a donation to The Launching Pad Network you are EMPOWERING foster youth to learn important life skills, SUPPORTING leadership and job training, FUNDING new cultural, art and dining experiences, and HELPING these amzing kids to establish a network that will help to change the trajectory of their lives.
PARTNER WITH US
We are committed to dramatically improving outcomes for some of our most vulnerable young people and we believe that the resources needed to make a difference can be found in our communities, our local businesses, churches, our families….all of us. Whether you are able to donate you time, a new experience, a referral or monetary support we appreciate your effort your support!