BUILDING FUTURES & BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

Hustle & Heal

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Designed for young people ages 10–24, Hustle & Heal blends hands-on job training with mental wellness and substance use education, to build confidence, career skills, income opportunities, and healthier futures.

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become a community partner

This program is currently available in:

Ohio: Cuyahoga, Summit and Lorain counties
Pennsylvania: Allegheny and Berks counties

WHO WE SERVE

Hustle & Heal supports youth and young adults ages 10–24.

With a focus on those who may be:

  • Low-income

  • System-impacted

  • Disconnected from traditional opportunities

  • Ready for a fresh start

  • Looking for guidance and growth

WHY THIS PROGRAM MATTERS

Many of our youth are expected to succeed while carrying stress, trauma, unstable environments, and limited access to opportunity.

Some of these youth are navigating:

Poverty and financial stress

Community violence

Anxiety, grief, or trauma

Limited career exposure

Systems that intervene too late

Hustle & Heal equips young people with practical tools to navigate life and the unique challenges they may be facing.

WHAT HUSTLE & HEAL LOOKS LIKE IN REAL LIFE

Take a look inside the program through the voices of participants and community partners making it possible.

WE MEET YOUNG PEOPLE AS INDIVIDUALS — NOT STATISTICS

The Hustle & Heal program combines:

  • Workforce Readiness Training

    Practical job skills like communication, professionalism, teamwork, punctuality, and workplace expectations.

  • Paid Learning Opportunities & Stipends

    Eligible participants can earn while they learn, reducing barriers and rewarding growth.

  • Career Exploration

    Exposure to industries, careers, entrepreneurship, and opportunities many youth have never been introduced to.

  • Confidence Building

    Support that helps participants strengthen self-worth, leadership, and belief in their future.

  • Mental Wellness Tools

    Real-life strategies for stress management, emotional regulation, resilience, and healthy decision-making.

  • Mentorship & Encouragement

    Trusted guidance from adults and leaders who care, listen, and want to see them win.

HOW IT WORKS

Turning community support into real, lasting results.

  • Participants can enroll through:

    • Schools

    • Courts and community referrals

    • Families

    • Direct outreach

  • Youth participate in structured cohorts focused on:

    • Job readiness

    • Communication skills

    • Leadership

    • Emotional regulation

    • Professional habits

    • Goal setting

  • Participants receive access to:

    • Hands-on training

    • Work-based learning

    • Career exploration

    • Paid opportunities when available

    • Community connections

  • Participants leave with more than experience. They leave with momentum, confidence, and a clearer path forward.

    Through continued guidance and practical skills, youth are better prepared for:

    • Employment opportunities

    • Career pathway decisions

    • Higher education or training programs

    • Stronger emotional resilience

    • Independent goal setting

    • Long-term personal growth

Apply for Hustle & heal
Become a community partner

REAL VOICES. REAL GROWTH.

Hear from the young people we serve.

The impact of Hustle & Heal is best shared by the youth who have experienced the program firsthand.

  • “I like this program because it helps you get through a lot of mental struggles in life. ”

    Like, when you come in as a person, you're not gonna go out as the same person you came in as. It's very helpful, and it gives you a lot of, you know, things to do to distract your mind with. And the teachers are great. Ms. Charde is great. You know, she's a great mentor person to help you. And I just like the program because I feel like it's a good fit for people that's not on the right track. It definitely helped me as a person.

  • “I like how you all make my day better. Like, if I come here, I leave with a better day. I have a great day after. And then I know how to cope.”

    What I like most about this program is you all work well with mental health. You all basically give good advice on how to handle your situations and when to know when something's wrong with you or how to change it up from a bad way. You all give us better ways to cope or just handle situations basically. And what else I like about this program is you all real dope.

IT TAKES COMMUNITY TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY

Become a Hustle & Heal Community Partner

Businesses, leaders, and organizations play a powerful role in helping young people grow, gain experience, and see what’s possible.

Watch how past community partners have supported this program and the difference it has made.

Whether you can offer mentorship, space, resources, career exposure, or sponsorship, your involvement can help shape a young person’s future.

Apply to partner up
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