The Way to Work Program

The Way To Work is a nonprofit workforce development program, formerly known as Vocational Foundation, Inc., that encourages young people ages 17-24 from all five boroughs of NYC and the surrounding communities to achieve their highest potential through hands-on-training and education. Its comprehensive individualized approach to career-specific job training, GED preparation, professional and personal counseling, job placement and retention services, creates lasting impact throughout the NYC community since it was founded in 1936. Participants are offered these services at no cost.
Background
Founded in 1936 by a young idealistic lawyer named Walter Thayer, Jr. in his studio apartment after being influenced by his father, a superintendent at a prison in upstate NY. Walter Thayer Jr. wanted to give young men leaving prison the opportunity to becoming productive members of society. He went on to become a great figure in newspaper history, more known for his role at Whitcom Communications and the Herald Tribune.
In the 1970s, VFI offered typewriting, wood shop and textile career training. Participants came from primarily low-income communities; many of them were juvenile delinquents. Most of the young people wanted the opportunity to learn and gain skills that would lead to careers. The disparity between the services available for young people of Latino and African American descent prompted a sociological study that VFI conducted, resulting in a paper entitled "Our Turn to Listen" which was published in 1978. The paper is filled with interviews and anecdotes from young people in New York City as well as participants of the Vocational Foundation Inc. program. It also featured quotes from the founder, Mr. Thayer, who continued to play a leadership role in the organization until his death in the late 1980s. The paper was given national exposure and prompted the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development to create the youth summer jobs program. Journalism legend, Walter Cronkite featured the program on 60 minutes.
Since then, the organization has moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn and back. The last relocation was in 2006, when the organization moved to its new offices in Lower Manhattan. The trainings provided evolved along with the organization to meet society's needs. There were trainings in the financial sector, health care, office technology and customer service. In late 2008, it decided to change its name to The Way to Work, a tag line it became synonymous with. Currently they are transitioning to their new website and have updated their trainings to meet current industry trends in the green sector, health care,security and information technology.
Today, Mr. Thayer's program, continues to provide men and women ages 17-24 with the skills and support they need to pursue successful careers.
Website
The Way To Work

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