Our Impact

Black Lives Matter: A Letter from Pivotal's CEO and Board President

Last week, we watched in horror, the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, which was just the latest in a string of deaths that included the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. As our outrage over these events continues and we sit with heavy hearts, we are taking a moment to speak out because silence is no longer an option.

My Year as a Pivotal Intern Coach

Students in Pivotal’s Intern Coach Program are working towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. Our program gives them an opportunity to complete their required professional hours under the supervision of our team of experts, all of whom have Master’s degrees in Social Work. Intern Coaches work exclusively with high school students for one year and manage a caseload of roughly six students per coach. They deliver social-emotional learning, teach success...

Be Pivotal: Two Ways to Help us Save Summer 2020

By Melissa Johns, Executive Vice President

As we head full steam into June, Pivotal is on a mission to Save Summer 2020! Normally you’d find us spending the last days in May helping high school and collegiate scholars finalize the details of their summer internships, while calming their nerves as they prepare for their first professional jobs. But 2020 is no typical year.

Coronavirus has upended the tradition of summer internships, and young people across the country are feeling the...

When They're Just Not That Into You

Getting teens to focus on their future can be tricky under normal circumstances, let alone a time hard-hit by a global pandemic. This era of uncertainty triggers a wide variety of responses, and for some, the response is to go quiet and withdraw. Pivotal coaches share their secrets for getting clever and engaging scholars during these tough times. 

Ashlee Jemmott Joins Pivotal as Director of Strategic Partnerships

Pivotal is thrilled to welcome Ashlee Jemmott as Director of Strategic Partnerships. In her new role, Ashlee will work towards creating positive change within the foster care ecosystem. We caught up with Ashlee to learn more about her journey into nonprofit work and the road that brought her to this new role at Pivotal.

Pivotal Coaches Provide Additional Academic Support

By Christine Salinas

With College Tours Grounded, We Get Creative

Even under normal circumstances, foster youth don’t have families to take them on college tours. Each year, our high school scholars rely on Pivotal to help them explore their collegiate options, take them on local campus tours, and arrange introductions to professors and staff who can answer questions for youth.

But, as we continue to shelter-in-place, how do we help our kids explore colleges when everything is shut down? We get creative! 

Pivotal Receives a $50,000 Grant Award from The Upwork Foundation

We are proud to announce that Pivotal is the proud recipient of a $50,000 grant from The Upwork Foundation. The award supports our Path to Self-Sufficiency for Foster Youth Program, which provides focused academic and employment coaching to over 300 high school and college participants in Silicon Valley, and prepares and places 115 scholars into paid summer internships.

Pivotal Voices: From Podcaster to Aspiring Policy Maker

by Sarah Gentle

Not even a week after moving back to San Jose from Chico post-graduation, I received a text from my lifelong mentor Savonna, casually asking me if I would like to participate in Silicon Valley Community Foundation's podcast series to talk about Pivotal. As a former foster youth, Pivotal participant, and aspiring policy maker, I immediately agreed and I’m so glad that I did.

Leap Into a New Year with Pivotal CEO, Elise Cutini

By Janelle Blakely & Christine Salinas

We’re excited to share some of our plans for 2020 with our supporters, and who better to present them than our CEO, Elise Cutini! Read on to learn how she’s leading the 2020 charge to provide deeper services to our community’s foster youth (and a few words about her weekend passion).

Pivotal's Internship Showcase Event is Just Around the Corner!

Pivotal’s ANNUAL INTERNSHIP SHOWCASE is just two days away!

Wondering what a Pivotal college summer internship looks like? Well then. How about you join us at our 2019 Internship Showcase, held at Adobe Headquarters this Thursday, October 24, 2019, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.  There's still time to RSVP!

Foster Youth Recognize the Change-Makers in Their Lives

Emmanuel “Manny” Amador is a Pivotal Board Member and former foster youth who spearheads the selection process for our highly anticipated 2019 Masters of Change Awards. We caught up with Manny, who shared his thoughts about this awesome award.