Milwaukee, WIS – Public Allies, a national nonprofit that develops the next generation of nonprofit and community leaders, today announced it has received a grant from AmeriCorps that will fund more than 288 paid apprenticeship opportunities with nonprofit organizations across the country. The apprenticeships will place young adults directly into community-based work, giving them hands-on experience, a living stipend, and a launching pad into careers rooted in service.
The grant comes at a moment when many young people are struggling to find their footing in a job market that is significantly more challenging than previous ones. The Public Allies apprenticeship program equips its apprentices (“Allies”) with the skills our communities and our nonprofits need most – relationship-building, community leadership, empathy, cultural competence, collaboration, amongst others – which are, notably, skills that technology can’t replicate.
Addressing a Widening Gap for Young Workers
Gen Z is entering the workforce at a uniquely difficult moment. Recent labor market data paints a daunting picture:
- Unemployment among Gen Z workers is roughly double the national rate, as entry-level positions have grown scarcer and many postings labeled “entry-level” now expect years of prior experience.
- Researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York have found that unemployment among young college graduates has climbed steadily over the past decade, even as unemployment among more experienced workers has stayed flat or improved — a divergence tied in part to the erosion of traditional, in-person mentorship and training pathways.
- Entry-level roles are increasingly being automated or absorbed by AI tools, removing the “first rung” of the career ladder just as this generation is trying to climb it.
“Public Allies apprenticeships serve as a much-needed, alternative pathway to career development, especially for those who don’t have access to higher education and are searching for purpose-driven work,” says Jenise Terrell, CEO of Public Allies. “Public Allies is committed to supporting these often overlooked, emerging leaders with opportunities to serve their communities and build a meaningful career in the public sector.”
A Model Built on Human Connection
Unlike apprenticeships focused on a single technical skill, the Public Allies model is rooted in relationship-based leadership development. Apprentices are placed at nonprofit host organizations where they take on real responsibilities — direct service, community-building, program coordination — while receiving structured mentorship, leadership training, and a peer cohort experience.
What the Grant Makes Possible
With this AmeriCorps grant, Public Allies will:
- Place 288 paid apprentices with nonprofit host organizations in communities across the country
- Provide each apprentice with a living stipend, professional development, and mentorship throughout their term of service
- Offer a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion, which apprentices can apply toward future education or existing student loans
- Connect apprentices to an alumni network of leaders across the social sector, many of whom go on to long-term careers in nonprofit and public service
For over thirty-five years, Public Allies has been preparing emerging leaders to impact positive change in the communities where they live. Public Allies is currently recruiting for Allies, as well as partner organizations to host Allies. For more information about our AmeriCorps funded program and other Public Allies programs, please visit www.publicallies.org.
About Public Allies
Public Allies is a national nonprofit whose mission is to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it. Since 1992, Public Allies has helped more than ten thousand emerging leaders serve our country, get on successful pathways to higher education and careers, and bring communities together to work for the common good.