Best for: Career experience, professional development, and nonprofit leadership

The Swappow+ Internship Program is available to former participants who are ready to take the next step in their personal and professional growth. As an extension of our Professional Development Program, interns gain hands-on experience by supporting Swappow+ events, programs, and day-to-day operations while developing valuable workplace skills and building their resumes.

Opportunities Include:

• Event planning and coordination
• Program support and participant engagement
• Marketing and social media
• Administrative and nonprofit operations
• Leadership and professional development
• Resume-building work experience

Interested in learning more?

Contact Alex PlesKovitch at alex@swappowplus.org for information about current internship opportunities and how to apply.

Best for: Career and technical education for foster youth

HopeTech is a specialized support program through EVIT that helps youth with foster care experience succeed in career and technical education. Students receive individualized guidance while preparing for careers in skilled trades, healthcare, cosmetology, technology, culinary arts, and many other fields.

Services Include:

• Career and technical education support

• Student success coaching

• Resource navigation

• Career preparation

• Connections to supportive services

Website: https://www.evit.edu/foster-youth/hopetech

Best for: Trade schools, certifications, apprenticeships, and vocational careers

Valley Guardians offers scholarships for current and former foster youth pursuing careers in the skilled trades. These scholarships help cover educational expenses for vocational schools, certification programs, apprenticeships, and technical training.

Scholarship May Help Cover:

• Trade school tuition

• Certification programs

• Technical training

• Vocational education expenses

• Career preparation costs

Website: https://www.valleyguardians.com/scholarship/#trade

Main Website: https://www.valleyguardians.com/

Best for: Career planning, education, employment, and life skills

Keys to Success is a free career development program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. Participants are paired with a Career Coach who helps them build a plan for employment, education, financial stability, and independent living.

Services Include:

• Career coaching

• Resume and interview preparation

• Job search assistance

• Financial literacy

• Educational planning

• Life skills training

• Connections to community resources

Program Website: https://www.affcf.org/ways-we-help/keys-to-success/

Main Website: https://www.affcf.org/

Best for: Current and former foster youth attending Arizona State University

Bridging Success is ASU's support program for students with foster care experience. The program helps students successfully transition into college by connecting them with financial, academic, and personal support throughout their educational journey.

Services Include:

• Student success coaching

• Academic support

• Financial aid guidance

• Campus resource navigation

• Basic needs assistance

• Community events and peer support

Program Website: https://fosteryouth.asu.edu/services-support/bridging-success

Main Website: https://fosteryouth.asu.edu/

Best for: Students with foster care experience attending Grand Canyon University

GCU's Fostering Futures initiative connects students with scholarships, financial aid resources, campus support, and individualized guidance to help them succeed throughout college.

Services Include:

• Scholarship opportunities

• Financial aid guidance

• Academic support

• Student success resources

• Campus community connections

Program Information: https://www.gcu.edu/blog/gcu-experience/helpful-scholarships-foster-youth

Main Admissions Website: https://www.gcu.edu/

Best for: Employment opportunities, job training, and community support

Cultivate Coffee is a local nonprofit coffee shop that creates meaningful employment opportunities for young adults who have experienced foster care and other challenging life circumstances. More than just a coffee shop, Cultivate provides a supportive work environment where employees build job skills, gain work experience, and develop confidence while serving their community.

Services Include:

• Employment opportunities

• Job skill development

• Supportive workplace environment

• Community connections

Website: https://cultivatecoffee.org/

Best for: Educational funding, scholarships, and K–12 tuition assistance

STO4KIDZ is an Arizona nonprofit that helps connect eligible students with scholarship opportunities through Arizona's School Tuition Organization (STO) program. Their mission is to expand access to quality education by providing financial assistance to families, including students in foster care and other underserved communities.

Services Include:

• K–12 private school tuition scholarships
• Educational financial assistance
• Scholarship application support
• Access to Arizona School Tuition Organization (STO) scholarships
• Opportunities for foster and underserved youth to attend schools that best fit their educational needs
• Resources for families navigating scholarship opportunities

Program Website: https://sto4kidz.org/

Main Website: https://sto4kidz.org/