SOVRANT
PATHWAYS
BUILT FOR WHAT COMES NEXT
Because potential is universal. Opportunity is not.
IT STARTED
WITH HER
Manaz, Age 16
By 17, Manaz was stepping into adulthood alone. No roadmap.
No support system. No one to call when things got hard.
Just the reality of having to figure it out.
She did.
But she never forgot what it cost her.
So she built the thing she needed most.
As someone who spent years in foster care, I know what it feels like to step into adulthood invisible and alone, forced to figure it out without direction or support. PATHWAYS is my promise that every student who comes to us leaves equipped, connected, and seen.
— Manaz Baptiste, Founder & Executive Director
WHY
WE EXIST
Every young person deserves the opportunity to build a life they are proud of. That's why PATHWAYS exists.
VISION: THE FUTURE WE BELIEVE IN
A world where every young adult impacted by foster care has the skills, opportunities, and community to build a life they choose.
MISSION: HOW WE'RE BUILDING IT
PATHWAYS equips young adults preparing to leave or navigating life after foster care with practical skills, financial support, and a community that continues beyond the program. Participants leave with stronger skills, meaningful relationships, and the support to move forward with confidence.
CORE
PILLARS
Three promises. Every student. Every time.
Foster care prepares you to leave. Adulthood asks a different set of questions. PATHWAYS was built to help you answer them.
PATHWAY TO FOUNDATION
Skills
Life gets easier when you have the right tools.
You'll learn practical skills to manage money, solve everyday challenges, and make confident decisions so you can build a strong foundation for whatever comes next.
PATHWAY TO OPPORTUNITY
Knowledge
The more you know, the more opportunities you create.
Learn how to navigate the systems, resources, and opportunities that can help you build the future you want—from jobs and education to housing, healthcare, and beyond.
PATHWAY TO BELONGING
Community
No one should have to figure life out alone.
You'll build meaningful relationships with mentors, your PathMate, and a community that's there to encourage you, celebrate your wins, and remind you that you don't have to do this by yourself.
HOW IT
WORKS
Four steps. One goal. Helping you build what's next.
APPLY
BUILD YOUR FUTURE
CELEBRATE YOUR GROWTH
LAUNCH AWARD
Every Future Starts
With A Story
Complete your PATHWAYS application and tell us about yourself, your goals, and where you are today. We're not looking for perfect applications. We're looking for potential.
If selected, you'll meet with our team before joining your cohort.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Small Steps.
Big Momentum.
Over six weeks, you'll build practical skills, strengthen your confidence, and connect with people who are invested in your success.
Through workshops, guest speakers, LifeWork, and your PathMate, you'll leave with tools you can use long after the program ends.
You've Earned This
Graduation is more than a ceremony. It's a chance to celebrate everything you've accomplished, share your Capstone Project, reflect on how far you've come, and step confidently into what's next.
$1,000-$2,000
Launch Award
Every PATHWAYS graduate receives a Launch Award based on their individual goals and needs. Whether it's a housing deposit, transportation, education, technology, professional clothing, or another essential expense, the award is designed to help remove barriers so you can take your next step with confidence.
PILOT COHORT LAUNCHES JANUARY 2027 · APPLICATIONS OPEN FALL 2026 · LIMITED TO 8–10 STUDENTS
BUILT TO
EQUIP YOU
Real skills. Real knowledge. Real community. Built for what next.
PATHWAYS was created with one goal: to help young adults leaving foster care build the confidence, skills, and support they need to navigate adulthood.
Every part of the program is designed with intention. You'll gain practical life skills, prepare for what's next professionally, build meaningful relationships, and become part of a community that continues long after the program ends. By the time you graduate, you'll leave with more than information. You'll leave with a plan, a support system, and a clearer path forward.
EVERY JOURNEY STARTS SOMEWHERE. THIS IS YOURS.
Before classes begin, you'll join us for PATHWAYS Kickoff—a chance to meet the founder, mentors, and the people you'll be learning alongside over the next six weeks. We'll walk you through what to expect, answer your questions, and make sure you have everything you need to start your journey with confidence.
You'll also have the opportunity to share a little about yourself, your story, and what brought you here while getting to know the rest of your cohort. You'll be matched with your PathMate, another participant who's beginning the journey alongside you. Together, you'll encourage one another, stay connected between sessions, and celebrate each other's growth every step of the way.
When Week 1 begins, you won't just be starting a program. You'll already be part of the PATHWAYS community.
WEEK 01: FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE
Money impacts almost every part of your life. Most people are expected to figure it out on their own. We'll help you build the confidence to manage your money, understand credit, avoid common financial mistakes, and make decisions that support the life you're building.
YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
Ages 17-20 Financial Confidence Outcomes Know where your money is going before it disappears. Build credit early so more doors are open when you need them. Build money habits that help you feel confident, prepared, and in control.
Ages 21-24 Financial Confidence Outcomes Take control of your finances instead of reacting to them. Strengthen your credit and understand the opportunities it creates. Build a financial foundation that supports the life you want to create.
WEEK 02: LIFE ON YOUR OWN
Living on your own comes with questions nobody seems to answer. How do you find housing? Read a lease? Build credit? Get health insurance? We'll help you navigate the everyday systems of adulthood so you can spend less time guessing and more time moving forward.
YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
Ages 17-20 Life On Your Own Outcomes Understand how housing, healthcare, taxes, and other systems shape everyday life. Know where to go for support when you're feeling lost, overwhelmed, or alone. Learn how to navigate the systems you'll rely on as you transition into adulthood.
Ages 21-24 Life On Your Own Outcomes Navigate the systems that affect your life with greater confidence and interdependence. Identify resources that help you move forward when life feels stuck. Strengthen your ability to access the support, services, and opportunities available to you.
WEEK 03: SMART RELATIONSHIPS
The people around you can shape where you go next. Learn how to build healthy relationships, communicate clearly, set boundaries, and recognize the difference between people who help you grow and those who hold you back.
YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
Ages 17-20 Smart Relationships Outcomes Understand the difference between connection, influence, and support—and how each shapes your future. Build meaningful relationships that support your transition into adulthood. Learn how to advocate for yourself, communicate your needs, and set healthy boundaries.
Ages 21-24 Smart Relationships Outcomes Identify and strengthen the relationships that support your wellbeing, stability, and growth. Set boundaries that protect your wellbeing, energy, and future. Develop a network of support that encourages accountability, connection, and belonging.
WEEK 04: OPPORTUNITY READY
Opportunities don't always go to the most talented person. They often go to the person who is prepared. Whether you're applying for your first job, exploring career paths, or preparing for your next opportunity, you'll learn how to build a strong resume, communicate professionally, interview with confidence, and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
Ages 17-20 Opportunity Ready Outcomes Learn how to stand out even if you're just getting started. Walk into interviews prepared, confident, and ready to represent yourself well. Explore career, training, and education opportunities that align with your goals.
Ages 21-24 Opportunity Ready Outcomes Position yourself for stronger opportunities and greater earning potential. Learn how to communicate your value with confidence in professional settings. Develop a career strategy that supports long-term growth and financial stability.
WEEK 05: CAPSTONE SHOWCASE PT I
Growth can be hard to see when you're living it. This week gives you the chance to pause, reflect on how far you've come, support your cohort, and begin sharing your Capstone Project with the community that's been growing alongside you.
WEEK 06: CAPSTONE SHOWCASE PT II + CELEBRATION & GRADUATION
Six weeks ago, you started this journey. Today, you're celebrating how far you've come. Complete your Capstone Project presentations, celebrate with your cohort, receive your PATHWAYS Launch Award, and take the next step with new skills, stronger relationships, and a community that's still cheering you on.
LEADERSHIP
PATHWAYS is built on the belief that lived experience and professional expertise belong in the same room. That's why every part of this program is designed with both in mind, combining real-world perspective with practical tools that open doors, build confidence, and create opportunity.
MANAZ BAPTISTE
Founder | Executive Director, PATHWAYS
Principal | SOVRANT
Harvard University
B.A. Psychology & Social Science
University of Pennsylvania
M.S.Ed. Entrepreneurship & Technology
Executive Education
Harvard Data Science
Wharton
Manaz Baptiste is a Harvard and Penn-trained educator, strategist, and social scientist with more than fifteen years of experience designing programs that help people navigate change, unlock opportunity, and create stronger futures. Her work spans education, youth development, emotional wellness, curriculum design, and community-centered learning.
PATHWAYS brings those experiences together in one place. Designed for young adults preparing to leave or recently transitioned from foster care, the program combines research, education, lived experience, and practical support to help participants develop the skills, confidence, and connections they need to move forward.
At its heart, PATHWAYS is built on one belief: no young person should have to navigate early adulthood alone. Manaz created PATHWAYS to help bridge the gap between potential and opportunity by giving young adults the knowledge, relationships, and support to move forward with confidence.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Help Build What's Next.
Our founding Board of Directors will be announced in Fall 2026 following our 501(c)(3) designation.
We're seeking leaders who bring diverse perspectives, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young adults transitioning from foster care.
If you're interested in helping shape the future of PATHWAYS as a founding board member, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us at info@sovrantpathways.org.
THE
DATA
Every number represents a young person, a story, and a future.
These statistics help explain why PATHWAYS exists.
THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE MISSION
15,379
YOUTH AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE IN 2024 WITHOUT A PERMANENT FAMILY
46%
8-12%
60%
OF YOUTH WHO AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE WILL EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS BY AGE 26
OF FOSTER YOUTH EARN A COLLEGE DEGREE COMPARED TO 49% OF THE GENERAL POPULATION
OF MARYLAND'S FOSTER YOUTH ARE BLACK IN A STATE THAT IS ONE-THIRD BLACK
Behind every statistic is a young person with the potential to build a different future.
That's why PATHWAYS exists.
Sources: Annie E. Casey Foundation · Children's Bureau FY2024 · Maryland Department of Human Services
LET'S BUILD
WHAT'S NEXT
Whether you're preparing to apply, looking to invest in a student's future, or interested in partnering with PATHWAYS, we'd love to hear from you!
Reach us at info@sovrantpathways.org or use our form.