About STRIVE
STRIVE is a national workforce development solution for people ready and motivated for a new start.
STRIVE was founded in East Harlem in 1984 to address chronic unemployment and poverty that plagued historically marginalized communities across New York City. Our groundbreaking approach of career mindset training with long-term wraparound support services has become a proven model for helping people overcome barriers to upward mobility and secure good jobs and economic prosperity. In the 40 years since our founding, STRIVE has refined its workforce model, expanding through our East Harlem site and national partnerships, preparing over 85,000 people for success with a 76% job placement rate. Today, the need for STRIVE across communities remains critical, as workforces seek to scale mission-critical positions—just as communities seek proven partners in workforce development.
At STRIVE we recognize that people need more than a job to succeed. Our comprehensive model and holistic approach train students with in-demand skills and match people’s talents and determination with top-ranking employers, paving the way for upward mobility and financial independence for people and their families.
Purpose | Mission | Vision
PURPOSE
To ensure that everyone can achieve upward mobility and financial empowerment for themselves and their families.
MISSION
We provide a pathway to life-changing careers and opportunities through comprehensive professional training, intensive personal support and self-empowerment for those who face societal barriers to advancement.
VISION
Employers, civic leaders, businesses, donors and neighbors across the country join STRIVE in building an inclusive economy for stronger, safer communities and a more equitable and just society.
Values
EQUITY
We are committed to a just and fair society where every person has the supports, networks and opportunities necessary to thrive.
EMPOWERMENT
We have an unwavering belief in the worth of all people and the power of uplifting everyone’s potential and voice.
RESILIENCE
We are inspired by the tenacity and determination of our students, and we honor that spirit by always seeking solutions and never giving up.
EXCELLENCE
We value depth and quality in our services and actions and always challenge ourselves to elevate our impact.
INTEGRITY
We prioritize trust, honesty and accountability in our actions and our relationships.
PARTNERSHIP
We embrace deep and lasting relationships with our students, employers, investors, community-partners and key stakeholders.
For people ready for a new start, we provide a proven pathway to possible.
For 40 years, we have created partnerships with employers that result in jobs for people seeking pathways life-changing careers. And at 40, we are just getting started.
2024 End-Of-Year Newsletter
STRIVE Launches Pathway to Possible
40th Anniversary Impact Report
40th Anniversary Mission Video
From Our Roots
What started in a basement housing project in has become a national phenomenon. Our groundbreaking, data-led approach to career-readiness and job-training and placement has been proven successful time and again.
Since our founding in East Harlem, NYC in 1984, STRIVE has become a national workforce solution for people motivated and ready for a new start—including those who face the greatest systemic barriers to employment.
In our first 40 years, we have partnered with 85,000+ people across the U.S., resulting in an impactful 76% job placement success rate.
To Our Future
As we celebrate 40 years of our nationally recognized career-readiness training, one-on-one support and lifetime career coaching—we are embarking on a bold journey of growth.
In 2023, STRIVE launched an ambitious ten-year growth and impact plan to scale our nationwide programs and services. By 2033, we will:
Launch new sites in communities with the greatest opportunity across the U.S.
Expand from serving 2,000 students to serving 10,000 students per year
Dedicate up to 50% of our seats across our sites to students impacted by the justice system
Meet Our Students & Alumni
STRIVE’s students and alumni are at the heart of what we do. Read some of the latest stories and testimonials from our community on how working with STRIVE gave them the tools and resources they needed to step into their greatest potential.
Join Us
We are building partnerships with top-ranking employers, corporate partners and community leaders to scale our impact into the next 40 years. Partner with us as we support thousands of people pursuing life-changing careers and economic prosperity for their families and communities.