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16 n e w h a v e n B I Z | N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 2 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m By Christopher Hoffman T he New Haven Promise program has been a big success, providing Elm City students with about $25 million since 2011 to fulfill their dreams of earning a college degree. e program offers qualifying public and charter high school graduates up to full tuition — most of the money provided by Yale University, Yale New Haven Hospital and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven — to attend Connecticut two- or four-year colleges, with a smaller stipend for private schools. So far, about 2,500 students have taken advantage of the program, New Haven Promise President Patricia Melton said. "Most of our scholars are not coming from a college- educated background," Melton said. "ey are coming from a blue-collar or immigrant background." New Haven Promise has already moved beyond its original scope to include paid internships for its recipients at various New Haven employers, including Yale. Now it's taking the next step, gearing up to help Promise graduates get their first jobs. Melton said she expects the program to fully kick off next year. "We're excited," said Melton, who has run Promise since 2012. "Most people know us as a scholarship program. But that was just the first pillar. It was seen as a complete economic development program. Its focus was on developing a talent pool for the changing economy here in New Haven. (Connecting graduates with jobs) is the last pillar." Promoting experience Helping Promise erect that last pillar will be Promise Business, a group of New Haven business leaders committed to providing opportunity for the program's graduates. Promise Business has already laid the groundwork for an employment program by offering internships and mentorship to Promise recipients, said architect and board member Julia McFadden. "e council's role is to promote experience for New Finding Work New Haven Promise expands beyond scholarships to help youths find jobs amid labor shortage PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED A New Haven Promise reception for businesses and alumni hosted by Yale First Couple Peter Salovey and Marta Moret at their home. Pictured (from left to right) are program participants Jorgieliz Casanova, Erving Xochipiltecatl, Odia Kane, President Patricia Melton, and participants Fontaine Chambers, Kelli Ray Gibson, Yazmin Rosas and James Baker-Howard.