This spring, Dallas Works and the All Stars Project (ASP) reached an important milestone in partnership with the City of Dallas and Mayor Eric L. Johnson. Through the Dallas Works Summer Youth Employment Program, more than 1,000 students participated in career readiness workshops designed to open doors and prepare them for meaningful employment.
The achievements of this pilot year were fueled by generous support from our corporate and philanthropic partners, who contributed $700,000 to help launch Dallas Works. We extend our deepest gratitude to Accelerate Infrastructure Opportunities, Accenture LLP, Ashley and Greg Arnold, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Comerica Charitable Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas – W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation Fund, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Questrom, and The Addy Foundation. Their investment in Dallas youth and belief in our mission have been critical to our success.
This year, Dallas Works is excited to welcome NAF as a new partner. NAF brings a national reputation for career readiness and an extensive network of corporate connections. By combining ASP’s performance-based approach with NAF’s reach, Dallas Works is setting a new standard for collaboration in workforce development.
Our CEO, Chris Street shared: “Our partnership with NAF represents a new era for Dallas Works. By coming together, we are not just increasing the number of internships—we are offering Dallas students a real chance to build skills, experience the professional world and step confidently into their futures. Nonprofit partnership and collaboration are going to be key, if we are going to deepen and broaden opportunities for young people across the country. We applaud NAF’s visionary and forward-looking leadership.”
“We are proud to join forces with the All Stars Project and Dallas Works to expand access to paid internships and career-connected learning,” said Lisa Dughi, CEO of NAF. “This partnership brings our shared vision to life – providing Dallas students with hands-on work-based learning opportunities to explore their unlimited potential and plan for their next steps after high school. We cannot wait to see what their futures hold!”
Thanks to the collective efforts of our partners, 220 students have been matched with paid internships at leading Dallas employers this summer. Internship hosts and sponsors include Accenture LLP, AECOM, ASP of Dallas, AMLI Residential, Bank of America, Bank of Texas, Capital One, Cynt Marshall, City of Dallas, Crossroads Community Services, Dallas College, Dallas Regional Chamber, EY, Girlstart, Hunt Consolidated, Jill and Mark Meyer, JPMorgan Chase, Junior Players, KFM Engineering & Design, TACenergy, Verizon, and VolunteerNow. Their ongoing partnership is helping to build a more unified, citywide workforce system.
Beyond direct internship placements, Dallas Works is working to map the city’s internship landscape and share data and best practices that will drive long-term impact. Our vision is to develop a year-round internship infrastructure, ensuring every Dallas student has the chance to gain experience and thrive. By joining forces with nonprofits, businesses, city agencies, and educational institutions, we are forging new pathways to paid internships and career readiness programs across Dallas. Current program partners include Big Thought, Commit Partnership, Dallas Citizens Council, Dallas College, Dallas ISD, Dallas Regional Chamber, NAF, Paul Quinn College, University of North Texas at Dallas, and YearUp United.
Together with our partners and supporters, Dallas Works and ASP are building a model for youth workforce development that can inspire cities nationwide.
