Verdana Youth Initiative
Closing the credential gap, one cohort at a time
Submitted to Morefield Foundation
April 2025
of 18–24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (NEET rate)
workforce development center per resident vs. national average 1:31,000
of open skilled-trades roles unfilled in the region
Source: Verdana 2024 Community Needs Assessment, 6-county survey
40 participants per cohort
Staff: Outreach Coordinator
120 hours training
Staff: Lead Coach + Assistant
NCRC, forklift, or trade cert
Partner: WorkKeys Testing
Placement in credentialed role
14 signed employer partners
Monthly check-ins, crisis intervention, career coaching
Staff: Retention Coach (0.5 FTE)
of 2024 pilot cohort employed in a credentialed role within 90 days of graduation
participants placed
avg hourly wage
wage increase /hr
"I had applied to the same warehouse for two years. After the Verdana program, they hired me as a team lead."
— Marcus Webb, age 23
Cohort 1, graduated March 2024
wage at enrollment
wage at placement
still employed, 6 months
| Program | Cost per Completion | 90-Day Employment | Avg Wage Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verdana Youth Initiative | $8,200 | 84% | +$8.20/hr |
| Job Corps (national avg) | $26,400 | 71% | +$5.10/hr |
| Community College CTE | $11,800 | 68% | +$6.40/hr |
| YouthBuild (national) | $14,300 | 74% | +$6.90/hr |
Sources: DOL Job Corps Annual Report 2023, NCCTE 2024, YouthBuild USA Outcomes Database, Verdana pilot cohort 2024
2 cohorts, 80 participants
Launch in McDowell and Raleigh counties • Build employer network • Establish data systems • Complete first outcome evaluation
4 cohorts, 160 participants
Expand to Wyoming, Mercer, Monroe, and Summers counties • Add second coach • Launch outcomes dashboard • Begin sustainability planning
14 signed letters of intent:
operating in rural Appalachia
annual budget (FY2024)
grant compliance rate
consecutive clean audits
Fatima Okonkwo
Executive Director
12 years in workforce development; former Deputy Director, WorkSource West Virginia; MA Public Policy, Princeton
James Tate
Program Director
Former YouthBuild Regional Director (Appalachia); 8 years direct service; nationally certified career counselor
| Budget Line | Year 1 | Year 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel (3.5 FTE) | $98,000 | $112,000 | $210,000 |
| Training Materials & Curriculum | $20,000 | $28,000 | $48,000 |
| Credential Testing Fees | $14,400 | $21,600 | $36,000 |
| Participant Stipends | $28,800 | $43,200 | $72,000 |
| Evaluation (Third Sector Analytics) | $8,000 | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| Indirect Costs (10%) | $16,920 | $21,480 | $38,400 |
| Year Total | $186,120 | $236,280 | $422,400 |
Requested from Morefield Foundation
Two-year unrestricted operating grant • Includes contingency buffer
90-day employment rate target
average wage gain target
6-month job retention target
credential attainment rate
Evaluation Partner: Third Sector Analytics
• Quarterly data reports to Morefield Foundation
• Public outcomes dashboard (Q2 Year 1)
• Mid-term evaluation (Month 12)
• Final impact report (Month 24)
• Participant surveys at enrollment, graduation, 6-month, 12-month
Two-year unrestricted grant
Decision requested by September 15, 2025
Fatima Okonkwo, Executive Director
fatima@verdanayouth.org • (304) 555-0147
240 young people. 24 months.
A credential that changes everything.