IMPACT THAT MATTERS

In 2023, Road to Hire impacted over 1,600 students, providing them with the resources and support they needed to thrive in school and their careers. Through our collective efforts, we awarded over $4 million in scholarships and helped over 140 individuals secure high-earning careers, opening doors of opportunity for deserving young adults to change the trajectory not only of their own lives but also those of their families and their community.

Click below to see some of the 2023 highlights.

R2H 2023 Impact Report

  • In 2023, the Road to Hire High School Program supported 654 high school students. This support spanned across Cohort 3, which graduated in Spring 2023, and Cohort 4, initiated in Fall 2023. These ambitious seniors took charge of their futures, stepping into the next phase of their professional lives. Students had the choice to either opt for a paid apprenticeship or pursue a college degree, resulting in the submission of over 1,100 college applications.

  • In the summer of 2023, Road to Hire welcomed 216 first-year college students, marking a significant 61% increase to the existing 240 current scholars making meaningful educational strides. With this growth, the program provided over $1.9 million in scholarships in the fall of 2023 to reduce the financial burden for students pursuing their educational and career aspirations.

  • Golden Door Scholars supports DACA and undocumented students with four-year college scholarships and career paths upon graduation. GDS is a community of over 355 alumni and 236 active scholars who engage in mentorship, career coaching and summer programming. The four-year graduation rate is 95%, 32% above the national average.

  • In 2023, Road to Hire supported a record number of apprentices embarking on their tech career paths. Achieving an 83% graduation rate, the program saw 146 graduates successfully transition into new tech roles at premier employers. Looking ahead, 100% of Cohort 14 were hired and are set to commence their careers in the Spring of 2024.

  • Including the 2023 graduates, Road to Hire supports an impressive network of 450+ alumni through the R2H Alumni Association and saw increased involvement from this community throughout the past year.

This year marks a decade since we started Road to Hire. In ten years, we've closed the opportunity gap for thousands of young adults in underrepresented communities. From the time they are juniors in high school all the way to the first two years of their post-college careers, our team has trained, mentored and empowered students to turn potential into reality.

We’ve also spent the last ten years working relentlessly to evolve and improve our program and its impact — from intercepting students earlier to expanding the number of people we can help each year. Every year we’ve improved, and the results speak for themselves:

  • Road to Hire students now have a 98% persistence rate after their first year in college

  • 80% is the projected four-year college graduation rate for our scholars – that’s almost double the graduation rate of their peers

  • Tech apprentices thrive in some of Charlotte’s largest employers – with a 95% first-year retention rate

These aren’t just numbers to us; they’re proof that the work we do is not only incredibly valuable, but vital to the future of our great city. By preparing more young adults for careers with Charlotte’s premiere employers, we’re transforming the future of our communities as well as the future of Charlotte.

We believe we’ve earned the right to become a more permanent fixture in the Charlotte nonprofit landscape.

I am confident that with your continued support and commitment, we will achieve even greater milestones and create lasting change in the lives of individuals and communities. We’re just getting started.

Click here to read the full 2023 Road to Hire Impact Report.

Letter From Our Founder

Ric Elias

RV CEO | R2H Founder and Board President