Designing Inclusive Investment Strategies: Future of the Seattle Economy
How Do You Turn A Group of Grantees Into A Cohesive Learning Netowrk?
Client: United Way of Greater Atlanta
Services: Community of Practice Design, Strategic Facilitation, Ecosystem Support
Focus Areas: Apprenticeship & Work-based Learning, Workforce Development
From Individual Programs to a Connected System
When United Way of Greater Atlanta launched CareerReady ATL, their goal was to do more than expand access to job training. They envisioned a coordinated, inclusive youth apprenticeship system—one that centers Black, Hispanic, and other youth of color who have been furthest from opportunity. Since 2020, Kinetic West has supported this vision. Most recently, we partnered with CareerReady ATL to design and facilitate a community of practice for nine grantees serving out-of-school youth.
Atlanta’s young people face persistent barriers to meaningful career pathways—including limited access to employers, gaps in wraparound support, and deeply rooted systemic inequities. Building a scalable, high-quality apprenticeship system meant aligning not just on goals, but on language, values, and strategy. CareerReady ATL needed to move beyond isolated programs to cultivate a learning network where grantees could share challenges, deepen practice, and shape the future of the system together.
Facilitation as a Tool for Connection, Reflection, and Action
Over eight months, Kinetic West designed and facilitated a community of practice that brought nine grantee partners together for three virtual sessions and a half-day in-person convening. Each session was guided by the grantees’ needs and grounded in storytelling, peer exchange, and actionable takeaways.
► Grantee-Led Conversations: We created space for partners to name what they were struggling with—turning technical assistance into dialogue and trust-building.
► Story-Driven Facilitation: Rather than simply report activities, we used real-world examples and reflection prompts to surface lessons, progress, and shared learning moments.
► Expertise in the Room: We shared national best practices, but also lifted up local wisdom—positioning CareerReady ATL grantees as both learnersboth a learners and leaders in youth apprenticeship.
►Built-In Learning Infrastructure: Topics covered included wraparound supports, employer engagement, braided funding, data systems, and ethical storytelling.
The Results: A More Connected, Cohesive Youth Apprenticeship Ecosystem
Our work helped:
✔ Build shared language and alignment across nine diverse youth-serving organizations
✔ Translate insights into practice shifts, like streamlined data tools and stronger employer MOUs
✔ Strengthen United Way of Greater Atlanta’s role as a strategic intermediary with a clear backbone staffing vision
Why It Matters
Too often, grantees are left to operate in silos. By investing in collective learning and strategic facilitation, CareerReady ATL is building the connective tissue of a youth apprenticeship system—one that’s rooted in equity, shaped by youth voice, and sustained by trusted partnerships.
What’s emerging in Atlanta is part of a national shift. Across the country, equity-focused apprenticeship ecosystems are:
Elevating youth leadership in system design
Blending philanthropic and public funding for sustainability
Recognizing the critical role of intermediaries in holding the work together
Let’s Talk
Kinetic West brings strategic thinking, facilitation, and a learning mindset to move ideas from paper to impact. Let’s talk about how we can support your vision. Email contact@kineticwest.com.