Mission Statement
Future Link seeks to close the opportunity divide for first-generation-to-college young adults facing economic adversity in Montgomery County (ages 18-25) by providing the professional development, resources, and individual support needed to pursue higher education or career-based training and enter the workforce, achieving lasting self-sufficiency.
Vision Statement
We envision a community that offers all young adults equitable access to education and career development opportunities to position them to thrive in the workforce; one that invests in their abilities and partners with them to maximize their talents. Future Link aims to overcome issues of social injustice and income inequality, launching our participants to financial independence and self-sufficiency.
Core Values
We believe:
- Every young adult has potential, and each deserves the chance to achieve that potential.
- In building long-term, respectful, and trusting relationships with those we serve.
- Helping young adults achieve their goals requires an individualized and not a “one size fits all” approach.
Goals for Each Student Served
- Enter and persist in postsecondary education/training programs.
- Identify and remain on an achievable career path.
- Cultivate essential soft and hard workplace skills necessary for success.
- Provide direct connections to employers and professionals for experiences to launch their career.
Organizational Timeline
Future Link was founded by Mindi Jacobson, Ken Weiner, and Leigh Henry. The first Self-Advocacy and Career Development Seminar launched.
Phase II officially launched: post-seminar, targeted, individualized support to participants over the course of several years. Services included mentoring, paid internships, scholarships, academic guidance, networking opportunities, workshops, and tutoring.
Demand led to three seminar classes per semester. Mentoring and paid internship services doubled, proving the need for positive, consistent guidance as well as paid authentic work experiences to help students advance in their desired career fields. A formal Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Montgomery College providing facilities use, scholarships, and academic data.
Celebrated 10 Years of Success with an event attended by over 500 people, including program alumni.
Moved to Gude Drive office to accommodate growing staff and services, allowing for in-house volunteer training, student programming, and networking events, plus a designated space for volunteers to meet with students.
Future Link students were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and experienced challenges, including job and income loss, remote learning, and declining mental health. The Seminar and other services were adapted to virtual learning. Future Link’s goals shifted to provide deeper support in educational persistence, job attainment to replace lost wages, emergency support, and community and network-building virtual events. The number of volunteers doubled as COVID continued. Packaged pre-existing Phase II services into a formal Career Coaching Program to help students receive workforce training, develop their professional toolbox, and attain internships and jobs.
Career Coaching Program expanded due to the importance of internship experiences to be competitive in the job market.
Future Link celebrates 15 years of serving Montgomery County young adults. Corporate partnerships double to support the scaling of the Career Coaching Program, and internship and mentorship services matches are at an all-time high.
