THE NEED
The TradeBridge Project is a transformative initiative by Gate 117 designed to connect high school age foster youth, as well as those who have “aged out” of care, with career pathways in the skilled trades. By offering hands-on training, mentorship, and holistic support, and training scholarships and internships, we equip these young adults with the tools they need to achieve economic independence, break cycles of instability, and build brighter futures.
Who We Serve: High school age foster youth through aged 20+ who have aged out of the system.
Our Approach: Training, mentorship, internships, and wraparound support.
Our Goal: To empower participants with marketable skills and stable employment in high-demand trades.
WHAT IS THE TRADEBRIDGE PROJECT?
What we OFFER
High school students
We Can provide Tuition
We Pay For All Associated Fees
We Cover the cost of books and materials
We furnish any necessary supplies and tools
We help find internship opportunities
Those Who’ve “Aged Out”
We Can provide internship opportunities with local businesses and trades.
pay cover the cost of tooling and other material needed for work opportunities.
We partner with NPO’s to provide complete wraparound services including medical, housing, legal assistance and more.
WHY TRADEBRIDGE Matters
Every year, thousands of young adults exit the foster care system without the skills, support, or resources to navigate adulthood successfully. Many face unemployment, unstable housing, and limited upward mobility. At the same time, the skilled trades face workforce shortages, creating an untapped opportunity.
By bridging this gap, the TradeBridge Project not only provides life-changing opportunities for youth but also strengthens the workforce in critical industries. In doing so, we foster resilience, independence, and long-term community growth.
At 18 foster youth are considered “aged out” and they, and their families, are often no longer eligible for state assistance. It’s at this critical age that Gate 117 focuses it’s attention by assisting “aged out” foster youth with securing continued training, internships at local businesses, providing mentors and helping match these kids with opportunities in the skilled trades .
Our Process
STEP ONE: Apply
We make it easy for you to get started. Even if you decide that this program is not right for you, this is a great place to gain knowledge about . We give you lots of information the assistance we offer and guide you through the application process to help you decide if TradeBridge is a good fit.
STEP TWO: Meet with an advisor
If you’re selected as a candidate for The TradeBridge Project, we will invite you and your family to meet with one of our advisors to walk you through the process of enrollment and make sure you understand the requirements of your new journey. Also, we will establish an ongoing mentorship schedule to make sure you always have an advocate who will be there to help.
STEP THREE: Get your backpack ready!
As school approaches we will schedule regular meetings to make sure you’re prepared for your first day. We help make sure that your new journey begins on the right foot and we commit to being available for questions, concerns, struggles, or if you just need someone to talk to.
Make an impact today
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