Paving Great Futures

Paving Great Futures (PGF) is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering at-risk communities throughout the five districts of San Diego County.

The communities within San Diego's impoverished neighborhoods currently suffer from a chronic lack of growth and opportunity. Unproductive and self-destructive activities — including gang violence, drug and alcohol use and distribution, and human sex trafficking — have become dangerously commonplace. Vulnerable young people frequently find themselves trapped in self-perpetuating cycles of illegal behavior, and the punitive and authoritarian measures of the criminal justice system only exacerbate these problems.

PGF's goal is to rehabilitate these marginalized and at-risk communities by fostering their economic, social, and political development, especially the development of the recently incarcerated, who often struggle disproportionately to integrate into society. PGF executes this mission through the six core competencies of entrepreneurship, job readiness, financial literacy, responsible life skills, community service, and civic engagement. By addressing all of these areas, PGF's comprehensive work experience programs transform misguided young people into productive and empowered community leaders capable of guiding relevant and lasting changes.

Our vision is to contribute to a world where, regardless of ethnicity or background, all individuals have access to resources for economic development, including financial, career, and business opportunities.

Our mission is to increase the health and wealth in underserved communities in order for marginalized and at risk individuals to thrive socially, economically, and politically.

PGF programming stimulates social change and responsibility through community involvement and service.  Our six Core competencies include:

1. Entrepreneurship

2. Job Readiness

3. Financial Literacy

4. Responsible Life Skills 

5. Community Service

6. Civic Engagement

We believe that these 6 core competencies help build healthy individuals and healthy communities.