A program of the Village Community Fondation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
LaunchPad uplifts young adults facing barriers with life-changing career opportunities.
Through career discovery, experiential learning, internships and jobs we reignite the American Dream in the communities we serve.
Our economy and society are rapidly changing
There is a fundamental, pervasive and growing disconnect between the “good jobs” of our modern economy and the skills, networks and experiences needed to get them. A crisis in four parts:
Opportunity is distributed and reinforced along socioeconomic lines.
Opportunity Insights at Harvard
Economic mobility happens early in careers then quickly diminishes.
Brookings
In 1940 90% of children would earn more than their parents. Today, it’s 50%.
Opportunity Insights at Harvard
There are over a million more U.S. job openings than unemployed people.
Statista / U.S. Department of Labor
Up to 70% of all jobs are found through networking
Early work experience increases lifetime earnings by 20%
Interns earn 27% more in their post-grad job than those without professional experience
71% of rising senior internships result in full-time job offers
Mentees are 5X more likely to be promoted
With mentoring, coaching and career development support, young adults can thrive, even with the odds and trends stacked against them.
Access & Opportunity Are Everything
“Coming into a new country and easily being offered these opportunities is something that is not easily accessible everywhere. It's a blessing to get to know people who are in companies that I dreamed to one day work in.”
—Maria Herrera, UConn
“I feel grateful for an opportunity to connect with people in higher positions, helping me get that foot in the door.”
—Mariel Fernandez, Housatonic Community College
“Really helped me have a better understanding about how people got into the industry and about how we can build a community.”
—Dorian Robinson, UConn
Our Program
LaunchPad helps young adults discover good careers and jobs through small group coaching, networking, firesides, and summits. These live and virtual sessions build the first layers of confidence, connectivity, and community.
Discover
Learn
LaunchPad helps build skills, resumés, and start careers through experiential learning opportunities. LaunchPad participants go onsite at marquee companies for workshops, tours, job shadowing, mock interviews and more.
It’s that first role, that first open door that makes all the difference in starting a rewarding career. LaunchPad’s coaching, matching and placement services help ensure that LaunchPad participants get the access and opportunities they need to succeed.
EXPERIENCE
Economic mobility occurs early in careers. And then it quickly disappears. That’s why LaunchPad participants are supported with an ongoing world-class network, curated introductions, event invitations, alumni support and continued placement assistance.
WORK
LAUNCHPAD BY THE NUMBERS
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500
Lifetime Program Participants
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1,722+
Total Program Service Hours
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50
Life-Changing Internships in 2025
A look back… and to the HORIZON
LaunchPad recently reflected on 2024: all that we’ve accomplished together and what lies ahead. See the latest here:
Change starts with you. If you’re a college student looking to launch your career — or a business ready to help the next generation lift off — sign up.
