Volunteer Beyond Your Network

You can still help close the #networkgap amidst COVID-19

This global crisis has made it clear how many people in our community work full-time, and yet do not make enough to provide for their families and save for a sudden loss of income. In the Bay Area, 1 in 5 people do not have $400 in their bank account for an emergency fund. Society is more dependent on these workers than ever before, yet their career prospects are often more influenced by the zipcode they grew up than their ability, talent and passion. There are so many unknowns in our world right now, but inequality remains present and even more powerful. Year Up works to close the #OpportunityDivide that prevents talented and driven young adults from achieving their aspirations, and you can too. 

Like many, I couldn’t have predicted how different my life would look today compared to just a month ago. In response to COVID-19, Year Up has moved all operations and training to a virtual-only setting in just one week and we are working closely with our corporate partners to ensure our interns are set up well to work from home. To ensure our most vulnerable workers are not left behind in the rapid shift to remote work- we have also launched a free training module that equips managers with the tools to successfully lead and support Opportunity Youth and their broader teams successfully in remote work environments. 

I’ve always valued our ability to move quickly and respond to market demand but this pivot is on a whole new level of responsiveness. I have an immense amount of gratitude for my team and our partners who have remained dedicated to our mission as we work through all of the changes, and for the young adults we serve, who have not let a global pandemic interrupt the journey to launch their careers. In this unprecedented time, I see a profound opportunity to rebuild a world that puts the common human experience at the center of our actions and reset structures that perpetuate inequality.

At Year Up, our young adults gain relevant training and experience on the job to test and build their skills. Many come to us working in the minimum wage jobs our society depends on: cashiers, servers, and security officers. Year Up recognizes the value in the transferable skills built in these jobs, like customer service, dependability and responsibility. We also recognize the creativity and persistence built while trying to sustain a life and family on an incredibly tight income. Through robust volunteering opportunities, our young adults build connections with professionals in their fields and together they help close the #networkgap - the advantage some have based on who they know. In a time of physical distancing, we all have an opportunity to get creative and use technology to build relationships with people outside our current networks. 

Year Up has now served more than 25,000 young adults in 24 cities across the country, and I’d say we’re on to something. Year Up students earn 54% more as a result of their Year Up experience, as compared to their peers according to the 2018 PACE Study. That increase in earnings represents exponential value created for the companies that they work for, companies like Salesforce and Wells Fargo who were some of the first to say “yes” in the Bay Area. Twelve years later, we have grown to 4 training locations, partnered with more than 170 companies, and have created career runways for over 2,390 young adults in the Bay Area. Without those first companies, we wouldn’t be where we are now. 

LinkedIn is one of our many trusted corporate partners. They host Year Up interns, hire Year Up graduates, and create powerful volunteer opportunities between Year Up students and LinkedIn employees. In mid-March, we had an exciting event planned for our new class of students to visit LinkedIn and connect 1-on-1 with Linkedin employee volunteers for their Giving #InDay. Our plans were in severe danger of cancellation due to COVID-19 but one after another, folks from LinkedIn and Year Up said, “yes” to converting the event to a virtual experience. In total, over 300 people participated in the virtual coaching experience.

Here’s just a few reflections from the event: 

“The online LinkedIn event was a refreshing and engaging experience. Amidst all the sudden changes that we had to adapt to, attending this event gave a sense of hope for the future and was extremely helpful in truly understanding not just LinkedIn, but how we can navigate our future endeavors as a professional.” - Alexa De La Parra Ramirez, Year Up student

“I thought this event was super impactful especially during this time. I was grateful that even in the midst of all the chaos going around, the LinkedIn Employees still managed to put time aside for us and give us these tips and key insights that are going to help us in the long run of looking for a job and networking. One of the best pieces of advice I got during the event was from one of the panelists, Abel Castellón, he told us that wherever we end up in, we should always continue to stay curious, striving to learn something new everyday!” - Julissa Herrera Ayala, Year Up student

“What a wonderful LinkedIn Coaches event today! It was an honor to be a coach and to have been able to participate today. My conversation with Celina and Karla was great and I’d be happy to provide more coaching and feedback in the future they’d like.” - Todd Donahue, LinkedIn employee

As uncertainties around sheltering in place remain, I am moved by the many ways people are prioritizing the good of our society and showing up for those most affected by the crisis. It’s never been more clear the difference one person can make in the life of another. Going beyond your own network and volunteering to connect with a young adult is just one way you can create a sense of community in this time of physical distancing. 

There are many unknowns related to COVID-19. But one thing we know is that young workers are most at risk of losing their jobs. Now, more than ever, young adults need a broad support system to help them navigate this new reality. There’s never been a more urgent time to connect young adults to opportunity. As you contemplate ways you can make an impact in the midst of this pandemic, I hope you’ll consider opening up your professional network for young adults like our Year Up students. Together, we can help close the #networkgap.

Make an impact today:

• Volunteer Virtually - If you’d like to volunteer virtually as a mentor, attend a virtual networking event, or connect with a young adult 1:1 for an informational interview, let us know here or email us at [email protected].
• Build-on your Remote Manager Skills - Check out our free training module that equips managers with the tools to successfully lead and support Opportunity Youth and their broader teams successfully in remote work environments.
• Host an Intern or Hire an Alum - If you’d like to learn more about expanding your hiring practices to create opportunities for talented young people too often overlooked, connect with us here.