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Newstart Foundation seeks city support to expand workforce training for justice‑involved youth
Summary
Trey Carter, founder of Newstart Foundation, asked the council to consider a $100,000 allocation to expand vocational training, internships and housing supports for justice‑involved youth and adults; several council members signaled support and connected the group to violence‑intervention and workforce programs.
Trey (Pat Trey) Carter, founder of the Newstart Foundation, presented his nonprofit’s six years of work training justice‑involved youth and adults for jobs in logistics, distribution, transportation and manufacturing.
Carter told the Public Service, Arts & Youth Initiative Committee the nonprofit has served more than 400 people since inception and currently works with 33 young people, some still in school and others in internships with employers such as WoundPros. He said the program provides industry‑recognized certifications, mentoring, counseling, bank account and paycheck literacy and on‑the‑job internships and that the nonprofit is also working on a housing component to provide stability for participants.
Carter requested $100,000 in city funding to expand staff, scale programming and increase outreach. Several council members said they support the program and planned to include Newstart in upcoming workforce proposals. Councilman Warren urged coordination with the city’s Group Violence Intervention program to connect high‑risk youth with Newstart services; Councilmembers Walker and White expressed support and urged colleagues to visit the facility.
Carter said Newstart partners with Shelby County juvenile court, state corrections and second‑chance employers and that participants include people receiving SNAP and public housing vouchers. He said the nonprofit pays particular attention to professional development and long‑term employment outcomes and that graduates who obtain CDLs and other credentials often help recruit and mentor new participants.
