The Way to Work (Formerly known as Vocational Foundation Inc. (VFI))

Our Program

The Way to Work was launched in 1936 (formerly known as VFI) by an ambitious lawyer looking to help young men leaving prison get the basic skills they needed to get a GED, land a job and transition into becoming productive members of society.

Today, The Way to Work is one of the most successful youth workforce development programs in the nation, with more than 82% of clients retaining their jobs after a full year of employment.

How to Enroll

Take charge of your future!

If you are between the ages of 17 and 24 and interested in job training, check out The Way to Work!

Walk-ins are welcome every Monday through Friday at 9am. You will learn more about our programs and your reading and math skills will be evaluated in an entrance exam (TABE Test).

Clients should be prepared to be at The Way to Work’s offices for a few hours. Be sure to arrange for child care, there are no child care facilities on site. You do not need to bring your parents.

Interview process: if applicants score the grade level required for The Way to Work programs they will be invited back to meet with staff for an interview. After the interview applicants will be notified by the recruitment department of their status in the program. This process may take several days depending on scheduling

You will need to bring specific documents when you apply. Please come see us even If you do not have all of the following documents ready:

• Proof of Employment Eligibility/Citizenship: Birth Certificate , U.S. Passport, Resident Alien Card, Naturalization Certificate
• Social Security Card
• Economic Eligibility (bring in one of the following: legal guardian’s pay stub, letter of support, public assistance budget/letter with ID, SSI Award Letter, Student Pay or Unemployment Check Stub
• Proof of Address (bring in one of the following: Lease, utility bill, computer printout of government agency, State ID.)
• Additional Documents include immunization records, proof of PPD tests and school transcripts

You may print out our application for enrollment, complete it and fax it to 212-823-1060, Attn: Joseph Gonzalez or MarVi Shumaker-Pruitt.

For more information, please call our one of our Recruitment Specialists, Joseph Gonzalez, at 212-823-1035 or MarVi Shumaker-Pruitt at 212-823-1052.