The non-profit scholarship program New Haven Promise announced the launch of Back New Haven, its new talent and business initiative, on April 13.
Back New Haven aims to meet the region’s needs for a diverse talent pipeline. It will create career and leadership opportunities, ultimately helping to strengthen neighborhoods, according to organizers.
John Miller, New Haven Promise director of development and business partnerships, said that career and workforce placement began in 2014, but it was never formalized.
New Haven Promise wants to keep up with the growing talent workforce pipeline in the region, and formalizing the process in the form of Back New Haven was the answer.
Back New Haven sets Promise graduates up with work or internships. A formal launch celebration was planned for April 13.
“Our goal is to create New Haven’s next generation of leaders,” said Miller.
Miller said they want to expand and keep talent in the city. Currently, 75% of scholars are making more than their families within four years of graduating college, he said.
New Haven Promise was created in 2010 to build a culture throughout the city of students from public schools who want to attend and graduate college and return to the city as active and employed citizens.
In just over a decade, New Haven Promise has awarded $29 million in scholarships, seen over 1,000 bachelor’s degrees earned and has maintained a higher graduation rate than the national average in every demographic, according to the organization.
Promise reports that 87% of graduates return to the region and recognize the need to capitalize on the educational investment.
Back New Haven will provide career and internship support and placements, wealth education and the promotion of networking and mentorship.
It is estimated that by 2030, Promise scholars will have collectively made $5.7 billion in lifetime earnings, according to the organization.
“Back New Haven is focused on the wealth gap in our region leveraging education and career opportunities to generate wealth for our families,” Miller said.
Contact Matt Verrilli at mverrilli@newhavenbiz.com.
