Works Wonders®
Get Paid. Build Skills. Explore Careers.
(401) 270-1355
leilani.martinez@fosterforward.net
Agest 14-26
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Paid Training
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12 Weeks of Coaching
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Internships + Certifications
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Agest 14-26 〰️ Paid Training 〰️ 12 Weeks of Coaching 〰️ Internships + Certifications 〰️
Works Wonders® is a career development program for young people connected to foster care, juvenile justice, or housing instability.
You’ll build job skills, explore career paths, and get hands-on experience with support every step of the way.
What You Get
When you join Works Wonders®, you receive:
✔ 12 hours of paid career readiness training
Build professional skills and earn a stipend.
✔ 12 weeks of one-on-one career coaching
Meet individually with an employment specialist who helps you set goals and take action.
✔ Access to paid internships and job shadows
Gain real-world experience with local employers.
✔ Industry certifications
Opportunities to earn CPR and ServSafe certifications.
✔ Resume + interview support
✔ Connections to employers and career opportunities
Who Can Join?
You may be eligible if you:
Are between 14–26 years old
Are currently, formerly, or at risk of involvement with:
Foster care
Juvenile justice
Housing instability or homelessness systems
No minimum testing scores.
No prior job experience required.
No degree or high school diploma needed to participate.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, reach out and we’ll help you figure it out.
Not sure what career path is right for you? That’s okay.
Works Wonders® gives you space to:
Explore industries you’re curious about
Gain experience before committing to a specific career path
Learn what you like (and what you don’t)
Build skills that transfer anywhere
Whether you're interested in healthcare, trades, culinary, business, childcare, entrepreneurship, or something else, we work with you to find meaningful opportunities that match your goals.
You’re not placed into a random job. Your interests matter.
Explore What Interests You
Our weekly Employment Support Office Hours are open to:
Young people currently in Works Wonders®
Alumni of the program
Youth who have not enrolled yet but meet eligibility requirements
Stop by for help with:
Resumes
Job applications
Mock interviews
Cover letters
Obtaining documents like a BCI
📍 Wednesdays 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
55 South Brow Street, East Providence
Can’t make that time? Appointments outside of office hours are available by request. Email Leilani at leilani.martinez@fosterforward.net to schedule.
Need Employment Support?
Real Results
Works Wonders® has been independently evaluated and shown to increase employment and job retention.
Last year:
74% of youth in the program achieved a positive outcome, including gaining employment, enrolling in education or training, or participating in an internship.
76% of youth in the program reported stronger teamwork skills.
43% of youth in the program reported an increase in awareness of job opportunities.
“It pretty much set me up for the rest of my life because I got my Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license through the program. that was something I always wanted to do, and Works Wonders made it possible”
“We got to really dig deep, thinking about ourselves, our careers, and what we really wanted to do. It was nice hearing from other minority youth going through the same process. It gave me reassurance.”
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You just need to be ready to take the next step.