SayPro, in collaboration with the United States Peace Corps, is establishing job training centers for youth in underserved urban areas to bridge the gap between education and employment. SayPro focuses on practical, skills-based learning that prepares young people for real-world opportunities. With support from Peace Corps volunteers, SayPro designs curriculums in areas like carpentry, digital technology, hospitality, and green construction. These training centers serve as safe, inclusive spaces for skill acquisition, career exploration, and mentorship. SayPro believes every youth deserves access to resources that unlock their potential, and these centers are the foundation for long-term economic empowerment and social inclusion.
SayPro’s approach goes beyond technical skills—it emphasizes life skills, entrepreneurship, and job readiness. Participants learn how to build resumes, communicate professionally, and manage their finances. SayPro works closely with Peace Corps volunteers to run job fairs, mock interviews, and business pitch competitions. This dynamic environment nurtures confidence and prepares youth for either employment or self-employment. SayPro’s centers also serve as youth innovation labs, encouraging participants to co-create solutions to local challenges. By offering holistic training, SayPro ensures young people graduate not only with hard skills, but with the mindset and support systems necessary to thrive in fast-changing urban economies.
Through strategic partnerships, SayPro links its job training graduates with employers, apprenticeship programs, and local government opportunities. Peace Corps volunteers help SayPro establish industry connections and engage private-sector stakeholders to offer internships and mentorship. SayPro also helps youth form cooperatives and micro-enterprises, providing startup kits and seed funding. These job training centers are more than education hubs—they are launchpads for self-sufficiency. SayPro regularly tracks alumni progress, celebrating their success stories to inspire future participants. The ripple effect is tangible: reduced unemployment, increased income, and stronger, more resilient urban communities. SayPro is creating cycles of empowerment that last for generations.
Looking forward, SayPro plans to scale this model to more cities, adapting programs to regional labor market needs. With ongoing Peace Corps collaboration, SayPro will introduce digital courses, remote training, and mobile training units to reach informal settlements. SayPro envisions a national network of youth empowerment centers that drive innovation, opportunity, and change. These centers will be youth-led, community-owned, and sustainably financed through partnerships and social enterprise models. SayPro is not just preparing youth for jobs—it is preparing them to lead. Together with the Peace Corps, SayPro is redefining what urban development looks like—powered by skills, inclusion, and hope.