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Every year, our Scholars remind us what resilience looks like.
They show it in the way they persist through challenges, pursue their degrees, and step boldly toward careers that once felt out of reach. They show it in the determination to build a future that reflects their talent, their ambition, and their limitless potential.
In 2025, that resilience was tested in new ways. In January, when wildfires spread across parts of Los Angeles, some of our Scholars and alumni faced disruptions to their homes, schools, and communities. As the year wore on, policy changes—from SNAP cuts and other provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill to the looming presence of ICE throughout Los Angeles—deepened the challenges many in our community were already facing.
But again and again, we saw the strength of the RTS community rise to meet the moment—Scholars checking in on one another, alumni offering guidance and encouragement, and supporters stepping forward to ensure our students had the resources they needed to stay focused on their education and careers. It was not easy, but 2025 brought out the best in us.
Our Scholars are navigating college and early careers without the traditional safety nets many students rely on. Yet with determination, opportunity, and the support of this incredible community, they continue to rise—graduating from college, securing meaningful career-track jobs, and building lives defined by purpose and possibility.
Thanks to your generosity, Ready to Succeed continues to provide the coaching, connections, and community that make this possible. From individualized career advising and internship placements to emergency support and community-building events, our Scholars gain not only the tools for success, but the confidence to define their own paths. The results speak for themselves: RTS Scholars graduate at a 100% rate within six years, and 85% move into strong career-track jobs within twelve months of graduation—outcomes that far exceed national averages for system-impacted youth.
One of the most inspiring parts of this work is seeing our alumni come full circle—returning to mentor current Scholars and strengthen the community that once supported them. This year, as you will read in this report, we formally launched the Alumni Council, led by extraordinary graduates of our program. This is just the beginning for our RTS Alumni!
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your partnership makes it possible for our Scholars to persevere through challenges, embrace opportunity, and build meaningful careers and lives.
With gratitude,
Pat McCabe and Romi Lassally
Co-Founders
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At the start of the year, two devastating wildfires, the Pasadena and Altadena fires, swept through Southern California. As communities faced unimaginable loss, Ready to Succeed became a source of strength for those affected like our very own Alumni Brandon and CEO Romi, who both lost their homes. In the midst of grief, the RTS community came together, offering support, care, and connection. It was a powerful reminder that Ready to Succeed is only a program, but also a family that stands together in moments of hardship.
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During the government shutdown, many RTS Scholars lost access to critical food assistance through SNAP. For Scholars — especially those parenting — this created immediate and overwhelming stress. Ready to Succeed responded quickly. After surveying those most impacted, we provided direct financial assistance so Scholars could stay focused on school and their future and not on where their next meal would come from. Because of your support, a temporary crisis did not derail their long-term success.
Ready to Succeed proudly hosted its 4th Annual Graduation Celebration, honoring 26 incredible Scholars as they crossed the finish line of their college journeys. This incredible morning not only celebrated their achievements, but also raised critical funds to support the next generation of college-bound foster youth. Together, we celebrated resilience, hard work, and the bright futures ahead.
In June, RTS hosted its third in-person Camp Ready at Loyola Marymount University, welcoming newly admitted Scholars into the program with an immersive overnight experience. Camp Ready sets the foundation for career development for incoming Scholars. Through resume-building workshops, networking sessions, and meaningful peer connection, Scholars were introduced to the tools and relationships that will support them throughout their RTS journey.
In its sixth year, the Pat McCabe Impact Fellowship continued to expand opportunities for RTS Scholars. This summer, 25 Fellows gained hands-on professional experience by supporting social impact organizations and nonprofits across Southern California. Impact Partners included returning organizations like Stepping Forward LA, as well as new partners such as Justin Carr Wants World Peace. While each placement is unique, the goal remains the same: equipping former foster youth with meaningful work experience, professional mentorship, and the confidence to thrive in their future careers.
This fall, Project Dorm Room supported over 350 college-going foster youth across more than 10 University of California and Cal State University campuses. Each student started the semester equipped with essential supplies like bedsheets, pillows, towels, and toiletries to turn their dorm room into a home. With the support of a community behind them, incoming foster youth begin college focused on their future, not basic necessities.
Ready to Succeed partnered with Arizona State University to bring ASuPIRE to Southern California— a collaborative, trauma-informed counseling initiative designed to strengthen the mental health, resilience, and academic success of foster youth. The event convened funders, partners, and higher education leaders around a shared goal: ensuring foster youth receive the holistic support they need to thrive in college and beyond.
The holidays can often feel especially isolating for foster youth that might not have the same familial connections as their peers. That’s why Ready to Succeed hosts end-of-year community events like Friendsgiving and our Winter Gathering. These events bring together Scholars, Alumni, staff, and supporters to not only celebrate their achievements throughout the year, but more importantly, celebrate in the community you have helped create.
“I couldn’t even imagine graduating college without the support from Ready to Succeed. It’s lifted so much stress off me and my family, and allowed me to focus completely on earning my degree. I’m beyond grateful.”
At the start of the year, two devastating wildfires, the Pasadena and Altadena fires, swept through Southern California. As communities faced unimaginable loss, Ready to Succeed became a source of strength for those affected like our very own Alumni Brandon and CEO Romi, who both lost their homes. In the midst of grief, the RTS community came together, offering support, care, and connection. It was a powerful reminder that Ready to Succeed is only a program, but also a family that stands together in moments of hardship.
“The community and the amount of amazing people and support I receive from other RTS Scholars and staff has been my favorite part of Ready to Succeed.”
Sara’s story is about seizing opportunity. She always knew college was the pathway to her dream career. But once she arrived at UCLA, the leap from student to early professional felt intimidating. Through Ready to Succeed, that gap began to close. Sara participated in the Pat McCabe Impact Fellowship, interning with Remarkably Us, and consistently shows up to networking events with RTS partners to build meaningful professional relationships. Along the way, she found something just as important: a community of peers who support and inspire her. With the right guidance and community behind her, she is building her future with confidence.
“RTS has helped me prepare for my future in so many ways—through career support, mentorship, financial help, and more. I truly don’t know where I’d be without them.”
As Ready to Succeed has grown from its first cohort of six Scholars to more than 400, the need for strong alumni support has grown alongside it — and Anthony’s journey shows why. Anthony’s childhood was marked by constant moves between families and across coasts, never having a stable place to call home. Getting into college was a major milestone. But launching a career, building connections, navigating interviews, and securing that first professional role still felt out of reach. With the help of RTS, Anthony built the network and confidence he needed. Those connections opened the door to his current role as a People & Culture Coordinator at Protiviti West. Today, Anthony also serves on the newly formed Alumni Council, sharing his lived experience to help strengthen the program for future Scholars. From Scholar to alumni leader, Anthony’s story reflects the lasting impact of continued support.
Real Results. Lifelong Impact.
“RTS has helped me prepare for my future in so many ways—through career support, mentorship, financial help, and more. I truly don’t know where I’d be without them.”
The Graduate School Pathways Program provides former foster youth with comprehensive support as they pursue graduate education and advanced career opportunities. Through academic guidance, personalized coaching, and targeted financial support, GSPP ensures Scholars feel prepared, confident, and empowered to navigate the graduate school journey and step into the next level of their professional growth.
Ready to Succeed’s Alumni Network reflects the lasting impact of investing in foster youth not only through college, but into their early careers. As RTS graduates enter the workforce and pursue advanced degrees, they remain deeply connected to the community that supported them. Alumni are lived experts who bring invaluable perspective to current Scholars by sharing their experiences navigating college, internships, and early career transitions after foster care. Many give back by offering informational interviews, sharing career advice, and connecting Scholars to professional networks, internships, and job opportunities within their industries. Alumni also participate in panels, workshops, and networking events, helping current Scholars better understand and navigate the professional world. Beyond mentorship, many alumni continue to support Ready to Succeed by reinvesting in the program that supported their own journeys. As donors, advocates, and community leaders, they help sustain opportunities for future Scholars while strengthening a growing network rooted in mentorship, opportunity, and shared success.
FY25 July 1st, 2024 - June 30th, 2025
For ten years, RTS has supported over 400 first-generation and foster care impacted college students as they persist through college, launch vibrant careers, and step into leadership roles. During this time, we’ve learned what fuels lasting, transformative impact for foster youth.Want to get involved in this year’s festivities?
Have any feedback regarding this report? Email aj@readytosucceedla.org
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Disclaimer
We are grateful for every gift received and apologize for any errors or omissions. If you have questions about this Annual Report, please contact us at aj@readytosucceedla.org.
