We’re proud to announce our selection as a recipient of a 2025 Taco Bell Foundation Community Grant. The funding will support employment-centered programming for 16-24 year-old New Yorkers who have been incarcerated or are at-risk, helping young people to gain the skills needed to secure permanent employment.
“GOSO is proud to partner with Taco Bell to provide opportunities for young people that are justice-impacted by connecting them to jobs that lead to careers and building skills that will help them thrive, including effective communication, workplace etiquette, and time management.” —GOSO President and CEO Michelle Pryce-Screen
Through this grant, GOSO will be able to provide extensive job-readiness training for participants and guide them through the job-search process, placing them into paid internship and employment opportunities in in-demand fields offering career growth.
Workforce training is a critical component of GOSO programming and provides and helps participants establish the stability and skills needed to succeed and avoid further court-involvement. Upon enrollment, 59% of participants have no high school diploma or GED and 80% are unemployed, having no prior work experience. GOSO works with 70+ employer partners across the city who agree to hire participants and provide on-the-job training via paid internships or direct employment. GOSO also connects participants to vocational training courses and provides post-placement support, including therapeutic services, to ensure sustained success.
The Taco Bell Foundation awarded a record-breaking $28 million in Community Grants this year to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations nationwide. The Community Grants program uplifts youth in the communities that matter most to Taco Bell – those of its fans and Team Members. True to the brand’s spirit, the Taco Bell Foundation supports nonprofits that think differently and take bold approaches to creating new opportunities for young people.
“We believe that empowering young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future,” said Lisa Lane Cardin, Executive Director of the Taco Bell Foundation. “This record investment is a testament to the power of community-driven change and the limitless potential that exists when we remove barriers and open doors.”
To learn more about GOSO, please visit www.gosonyc.org. To learn more about the Taco Bell Foundation and the Community Grants program, click here.