For more than 30 years, FareStart has worked to create pathways to economic opportunity through job training for people overcoming significant employment barriers. As the world continues to change, so do we. We are proud to introduce our new three-year Strategic Plan, a roadmap for the future designed to help people and communities facing the greatest obstacles thrive.
At the heart of this plan is a steadfast commitment to our students—they are our North Star. They bring remarkable resilience, determination and courage as they navigate challenges like poverty, housing instability, mental health struggles and past incarceration. Too often, these realities make getting and keeping a job far more difficult than it should be. This Strategic Plan expands job training and career pathways so more students than ever can access meaningful employment and contribute to our community.
Grounded in FareStart’s Theory of Change, the plan focuses on four key strategies:
1. Deliver high-quality job training that equips students with the range of skills needed to secure and keep employment.
2. Strengthen the employer ecosystem to improve job quality and remove barriers to employment.
3. Grow programmatic impact and expand reach through consulting.
4. Scale social enterprises to support FareStart’s financial stability and provide training-rich environments that meet the needs of a growing student population.
Food remains central to our work. The food service industry offers a powerful entry point for workforce development, and while many graduates begin in culinary and hospitality roles, the durable life skills they gain prepare them to succeed across industries.
By 2028, we aim to:
– Enroll 500 students annually, the highest enrollment to date in FareStart’s history.
– Achieve graduation and employment outcomes that meet or exceed national benchmarks for workforce development social enterprise organizations.
– Ensure sufficient kitchen and service spaces to support expanded job training while growing social enterprise revenue by 20%.
We invite our partners, donors, supporters and community to join us. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier community rooted in opportunity.
Read more here: 2026-2028 Strategic Plan
