Graduate 2 Navigate
Equipping high school graduates with the life tools they need to thrive beyond the classroom
Explore Programs
Our Mission: Bridging the Gap Between Academics and Adulting
At Graduate 2 Navigate, we believe that graduation is not the finish line, it's the starting point. Too many young adults enter the "real world" without the practical knowledge they need to succeed. From managing finances to building careers, navigating relationships to maintaining mental wellness, these essential life skills are rarely taught in traditional classrooms.
Founded by hospitality veteran and author Keitris Bourgeois, our organization was born from a simple but powerful realization: no young adult should face adulthood unprepared. What began as a personal journey to equip her daughter with life skills quickly evolved into a movement to uplift an entire generation.
Through innovative programming, practical resources, mentorship opportunities, and strategic community partnerships, we help students transition confidently from high school to the complexities of adult life. Our approach is hands-on, relevant, and rooted in real-world application, not just theory.
We understand the challenges today's graduates face because we've lived them, studied them, and created solutions for them. Our mission is to ensure every student graduates with not just a diploma, but with the confidence, skills, and support network they need to navigate their future with purpose.
The Graduate 2 Navigate Difference
Real-Life Curriculum
Our programs focus on practical skills that students will use immediately like budgeting, credit building, career planning, and personal development. No fluff, just actionable knowledge.
Experienced Leadership
Founded by hospitality veteran Keitris Bourgeois, our team brings decades of real-world experience to help students navigate the challenges of adulthood with confidence.
Community-Centered
We partner with schools, local businesses, and community organizations to create a support network that extends far beyond our workshops and into students' everyday lives.
Core Life Skills We Teach
Our comprehensive curriculum covers the essential areas that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world success. Each topic is designed to be immediately applicable, giving students the tools they need to thrive from day one of their post-graduation journey.
Financial Literacy
Master budgeting fundamentals, understand credit scores, learn to manage debt, and build a foundation for long-term financial health. We demystify banking, taxes, and saving strategies.
Career Development
From crafting compelling resumes to acing interviews, networking effectively, and understanding workplace culture. We prepare students for career success in any field.
Mental Health & Wellness
Address stress management, build emotional resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and understand when and how to seek support during challenging times.
Time Management
Learn to prioritize effectively, balance multiple responsibilities, set achievable goals, and develop the organizational skills that lead to productivity and success.
Personal Branding
Discover how to present yourself authentically, build a professional online presence, communicate your value, and create a personal brand that opens doors.
Life Navigation
From finding housing to understanding insurance, building healthy relationships to making major life decisions, we cover the practical skills that aren't taught in textbooks.
Our Programs & Resources
Interactive Workshops
Our engaging, hands-on workshops bring life skills to life through real-world scenarios, group activities, and practical exercises. Students don't just learn they practice and apply knowledge immediately. Sessions are designed to be dynamic and interactive, keeping participants engaged while building confidence in their abilities.
We offer both in-person and virtual options to reach students wherever they are, with flexible scheduling to accommodate school calendars and student needs.
Student Workbooks & Guides
Our comprehensive workbooks serve as personal roadmaps for students navigating their post-graduation journey. Filled with worksheets, checklists, reflection prompts, and actionable steps, these resources allow students to work at their own pace while building a customized plan for their future.
Each guide is carefully crafted to be practical, accessible, and designed for real-world application becoming a trusted companion students can return to again and again.
School Partnerships
We collaborate with high schools, community colleges, and educational institutions to integrate life skills training directly into existing programs. Our partnerships are flexible and customizable, designed to complement and enhance current curricula while filling critical gaps.
Through these partnerships, we're able to reach students at scale, ensuring that entire graduating classes have access to the tools they need for success beyond the classroom walls.
Graduation Tales: The Testimony
Our signature resource, Graduation Tales: The Testimony, is more than just a book, it's a comprehensive guide, a source of inspiration, and a practical toolkit for life after high school. Written by founder Keitris Bourgeois, this powerful resource combines personal stories, professional wisdom, and actionable advice.
The book addresses the emotional and practical challenges graduates face, offering guidance on everything from overcoming self-doubt to building financial independence. It features real testimonies from young adults who've successfully navigated the transition to adulthood, providing readers with relatable examples and proven strategies.
Graduation Tales has become a trusted companion for thousands of graduates, their families, and educators looking to support young adults during this critical life transition. It's available through our organization and serves as a cornerstone of our programming.
Meet Our Founder: Keitris Bourgeois
Keitris Bourgeois is a hospitality veteran, author, and passionate advocate for youth empowerment. With decades of experience in the service industry, corporate consultant, she's witnessed firsthand the challenges young adults face when entering the workforce unprepared for the realities of professional life and independent living.
What started as a personal mission to prepare her own daughter for life after graduation transformed into a calling to serve an entire generation. Keitris recognized that the gap between academic achievement and life readiness was leaving too many young people struggling unnecessarily.
Drawing on her extensive professional experience, personal journey, and deep commitment to community uplift, Keitris founded Graduate 2 Navigate to ensure no student has to navigate adulthood alone. Her authentic, practical approach resonates with students and families alike.
Through her work, writing, and speaking engagements, Keitris has become a trusted voice in youth development and life skills education. Her vision continues to expand, reaching more communities and transforming more lives with each passing year.
Our Impact in Numbers
Since our founding, Graduate 2 Navigate has made a measurable difference in the lives of students, families, and communities. These numbers represent real young adults who are now navigating adulthood with confidence, equipped with the skills and support they need to thrive.
115+
Students Served
Graduates equipped with essential life skills through our programs
3
School Partnerships
Educational institutions integrating our curriculum
7
Workshops Delivered
Interactive sessions covering critical life topics
95%
Student Satisfaction
Participants reporting increased confidence in life skills
What Students & Partners Are Saying
"Graduate 2 Navigate taught me things I wish I'd learned years ago. The budgeting workshop alone saved me from making costly mistakes my first year out. I actually feel prepared now."
— Marcus T., 2024 Graduate
"As a school counselor, I've seen the difference this program makes. Students leave with practical skills and real confidence. It's exactly what our graduates need but don't get in traditional classes."
— Jennifer Rodriguez, High School Counselor
"The personal branding and career development sessions opened my eyes to opportunities I didn't even know existed. I landed my dream internship using the strategies I learned."
— Aisha M., Program Participant
Join the Movement
For Students & Families
Whether you're a current high school senior, recent graduate, or parent wanting to support your child's transition to adulthood, Graduate 2 Navigate offers resources and programs designed for you. Sign up for our upcoming workshops, purchase Graduation Tales: The Testimony, or connect with us to learn more about how we can support your journey.
Don't navigate adulthood alone, join a community that's committed to your success.
For Schools & Organizations
We're actively seeking partnerships with schools, community organizations, and businesses that share our commitment to youth empowerment. Whether you're looking to integrate life skills programming into your curriculum or sponsor students who need support, we'd love to collaborate.
Together, we can ensure every graduate has the tools to thrive.
Graduate 2 Navigate: Where graduation meets preparation, and purpose meets possibility.