Fab Youth Philly’s mission is to build bridges to adulthood through meaningful employment, strong community connections and opportunities for teens to explore their passions.
We provide teens with a range of training & paid job opportunities through our programming that not only prepares them for the workforce, but also offers opportunities to establish independence, make connections, as well as explore their passions and career interests. FYP acquired 501(c)3 status in 2021 after operating as an LLC since 2012, born out of Executive Director Rebecca Fabiano’s consulting business, where she developed curriculum on a range of topics with a focus on youth workforce development, as well as designed and facilitated a wide range of professional development experiences like trainings, PLCs and conferences.
FYP has offices in both West Philadelphia and Kensington, though we hire teens from all over Philadelphia each summer. Since 2015, Fab Youth Philly (FYP) has provided programming directly to more than 3000 children, teens and young adults across Philadelphia, from the children who play on our Playstreets, to the teens we engage and employ, to the participants in our afterschool programs for middle school. We have provided more than 450 work/learning experiences to teens since 2017. In Kensington, we utilize a donated space across from McPherson Square Park at 3026 E Street in zip code 19134. For more than 85% of the teens we hire, FYP is their first job.
FYP youth are bright, caring, curious and hard-working. 90% of the teens we serve are Black and brown youth, and 90% attend Philadelphia public or charter schools. FYP youth experience what many youth in Philly are exposed to: daily instances of violence, severed or traumatic familial and community relationships, as well as trauma from the COVID pandemic. Despite the systemic ways Kensington communities have been damaged by the influx of drugs, first bringing crime and now gentrification, teens and other residents have deep pride for their neighborhood. Kensington is one of the most culturally, racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Philadelphia. We work specifically with Kensington youth using a strengths-based approach, providing communities with support for their existing networks.
Fab Youth Philly: Supporting youth on the road to becoming a skilled & safe driver
Funds will be used for supplies to facilitate an 8-week learner’s permit study group including study guides, as well as the cost of the learner’s permit exam for each participant ($35.50 each; up to 30 youth); and a percentage of FYP adult staff salaries. Upon completion, participants will earn a $200 gift certificate which is equal to two hours of behind the wheel training with a professional driver coach.
