Future Culture creators
FUTURE CULTURE CREATORS (FCC)
What is FCC?
Future Culture Creators is Network Connect’s workforce and leadership development program for high school students experiencing disconnection from school, employment, or community support.
FCC starts with what young people already bring to the table: talent, ideas, experience, and the ability to lead. The program surrounds that potential with stronger support, practical skills, trusted adults, and real opportunities to put what they learn into practice.
Over six months, students work through a culturally relevant curriculum that includes professional development, personal brand building, civic engagement, design thinking, mental health awareness, cognitive behavioral techniques, group activities, and restorative practices. Along the way, they practice communication, accountability, problem-solving, healthy relationship building, and leadership.
Work experience is a central part of FCC. Students prepare for interviews, develop hard and soft skills, work with mentors, and gain practical experience through employer and community placements. The goal is bigger than getting through a training program. Young people leave with stronger skills, more confidence, professional relationships, and a clearer sense of what they can do next.
Learn about FCC Programming
FCC is structured over six months, moving students from skill-building into real-world experience.
During the first three months, participants focus on professional development, personal brand building, civic engagement, mental health awareness, and design thinking. Through Dual School, students learn a practical problem-solving process they can use to develop ideas, understand community challenges, and create projects of their own.
The following three months focus on job readiness and placement. Students prepare for interviews, strengthen workplace skills, and gain hands-on experience with employer and community partners. Throughout the program, Network Connect provides mentorship and individualized support to help students work through barriers, stay accountable, and keep moving toward their goals.
Dual School’s curriculum is based on Design Thinking, a creative problem-solving process popularized by Stanford University’s Design School. Design Thinking involves 5-key phases:
Empathize
Ideate
Test
Define
Prototype
All Dual School students will gain access to and experience in:
Leadership and teamwork skills
Support raising funds and grants for projects
Design thinking
Mentorship
Design, implementation, & management of Social Impact projects
Lifelong access to the Dual School community
Access to a cohort of other like-minded young people
Access to weekly webinars
