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Building pathways to education, careers, and long-term stability for LGBTQ+ youth.

Nine-to-Fine Initiative

Inspired by Dolly Parton’s iconic 9 to 5, the Foundation launched the Nine-to-Fine Workforce Initiative to support LGBTQ+ young people in building and sustaining interest-aligned careers that advance education and long-term economic mobility.

About
Nine-to-Fine is a structured workforce and education program designed for young people living at the Foundation’s housing facility. The program supports participants as they move from unemployment or under-employment into meaningful work, education, or training aligned with their interests and goals.

  • Clients will complete the web-based RIASEC vocational interest model to align their personalities with careers.

  • A series of workshops will be hosted throughout the year based on the interests and needs of the annual class of youth, including:

    • Resume Building

    • Interviewing Skills and Mock Interviews

    • LinkedIn Learning Role Guides

    • Communication

    • Job Searching 101  

    • Networking & Cultivating Positive References 

    • Speaker Series 

    • GED & SAT Prep

    • Finance Management 

    • Digital Tools 

    • Education & Workforce Program Site Visits

  • Youth will receive ongoing guidance from an Employment & Education Specialist, including job application support, goal-setting, and one-on-one check-ins.

  • To help youth stay engaged and succeed, the program includes milestone incentives that celebrate progress, such as completing workshops, securing interviews, earning a GED, and maintaining employment.

Program Pillars

Road Map to Success
Youth who successfully complete major program milestones receive incentives.

Why It Matters
Economic stability is key to ending youth homelessness. Nine-to-Fine supports LGBTQ+ young people in building confidence, gaining job-ready skills, and accessing opportunities that lead to lasting independence. The Facts:

  • About half of the youth at the Foundation’s housing program are unemployed and not enrolled in an education system.

  • DC LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to be unemployed, uninsured, and face food insecurity than their peers, according to the Williams Institute.

  • 48% of LGBT+ people of color have an income below $40,000 a year, based on a 2020 national survey by the CAP.

  • LGBTQ+ workers earn about 90 cents for every dollar that the typical worker earns. LGBTQ+ people of color, transgender women and men and non-binary individuals earn even less when compared to the typical worker.

  • 20% of LGBTQ+ workers in service industries such as restaurants and food services or retail, which are likely professions not to include medical coverage.

Resources

Are you in need and looking for employment and education? Check out these resources in DC.