Tiffany Haddish is planning to give back to foster youth by launching a paid internship program.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Girls Trip actress has established the She Ready Internship Program for foster youth. The program is set to start in 2021 and will provide opportunity and access to those who want to break into the industry. She Ready will also provide paid internships, mentorships and resources that will help each person be ready for work. Additionally, Haddish’s program will also provide the youth with stipends that will cover the expenses for transportation and other work-related costs.
The internship is open to foster youth — and youth who are in the system — who are between the ages of 18 and 25 years old. Those who are not selected for the program will receive “a consolation prize in the form of industry and career-readiness events,” according to the outlet.
“I believe that children that come from different cultures deserve a chance to work in the industry and I would like people that look like me to be able to represent me too in the industry,” Haddish said.
The comedian used to spend time in foster care following her mother’s near-fatal car accident. She previously spoke about her time in the system during an appearance on Netflix’s “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.”
“You’re dropped in these strangers’ houses, you don’t know these people, these people don’t know you, you don’t know if they’re going to hurt you, if they’re going to be kind, you don’t have a clue what’s going on,” she said. ”I felt like I was a traveler, like I had a purpose, like I’m a person, like I’m not garbage, I got this — it’s mine, and my things are in here, and wherever I go I can take this with me and I’m going somewhere.”