Why We Teach Real Job Skills, Not Just a Certificate
The short answer: a certificate proves you sat through a class. A skill proves you can do the job. Azgari Foundation exists to move young adults leaving foster care and the juvenile justice system from surviving to stable — through job-ready training and direct placement support, not just a piece of paper.
The problem we organized around
Every year, thousands of young people age out of foster care in the United States. Roughly one in five experiences homelessness soon after leaving care (National Foster Youth Institute), and most exit without the professional network, mentorship, or capital access that nearly every career pathway quietly assumes. The system produces economically vulnerable adults — not because they lack talent, but because they lack the scaffolding everyone else takes for granted.
What we do about it
Azgari Foundation is a Delaware-registered 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 41-2896092) based in Austin, Texas. We run five tuition-free, fully online career training programs for young adults ages 16–25 who are aging out of foster care, exiting the juvenile justice system, or otherwise disconnected from school and work: Marketing, Bookkeeping & Accounting, IT Help Desk, Web Development, and Administrative Support. Programs run six months at 15–20 hours per week, with volunteer educators and one-to-one mentorship. Free means free — no cost to apply, no cost to attend.
Why real skills matter
Employment gets a young person stable. Real, in-demand skills change their trajectory. Our flagship track teaches participants in-demand AI-powered marketing skills — how to build a portfolio, interview with confidence, and land a first job in the field. Every graduate leaves with job placement support, not just a certificate. Individual results vary based on effort, local labor market conditions, and personal circumstances.
How you can be part of it
Caseworkers and agencies can refer a young person. Employers can hire our graduates. Donors can fund a seat. And if you're 16–25 and reading this yourself: the application takes about ten minutes, and a real person replies within two business days.