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Adobe Awards Grant for Upward! Program

 

Edgewood has been awarded a $20,000 Adobe Employee Community Fund grant for our Upward! Program which serves youth in Edgewood’s Community School and Acute Intensive Services programs.

This program increases access to technology and vocational curriculum for marginalized youth and promotes their academic achievement, leading to a high school diploma, GED or college degree. Upward! supports a decrease in mental health symptoms and the development of real life skills that youth will need as they transition to adulthood.

Edgewood’s youth struggle with mental illness and often come to us from low-income, disadvantaged urban neighborhoods with limited, if any, work experience. Upward! exposes them to a challenging curriculum delivered by a supportive staff that prepares them for meaningful employment. It connects classroom learning opportunities with practical, hands-on vocational experiences. It challenges youth to learn new skills, interact with others, solve problems, build confidence, and heal from the effects of trauma.

Serving 200 youth annually, the Upward! Program provides college and career exploration, job training and vocational opportunities to assist youth in achieving their educational and vocational goals. Upward! Helps youth develop pre-employment skills in addition to skills to be sustainable in the work force.

The grant is part of Edgewood’s long-standing partnership with Adobe. Adobe Action Teams have contributed their time, talents, and energies at Edgewood for over seven years. Adobe volunteers have been involved with our education, residential, and crisis treatment programs for vulnerable youth from the child welfare and foster care systems.

Edgewood is very grateful for this generous grant that will provide our youth with important life and career skills!