Holidays are a carefree time of rest and summer trips for many young people. But for three of our beneficiaries from foster care, this year’s summer meant a true boot camp in adulthood. Thanks to our partners—Colgate-Palmolive and Lenovo Poland—the participants in the Foundation for Good Initiatives’ internship programme spent two intensive months on placements in Warsaw. The internship was a time of learning and tackling new challenges, but also of discovering themselves and their abilities—often for the very first time.

Time for an internship

One participant took on a front-desk role and, from day one, was responsible for greeting guests, handling correspondence, and supporting the team. Although the start was full of unknowns, it quickly became clear that with well-prepared guidelines and an engaged team, you can build confidence and a sense of agency.

The other two interns joined teams in Administration and Operations. The day-to-day work with documentation, fleet management, and sales systems was not only an opportunity to grow, but also a real immersion in the world of a large company—with everything that entails: the pace, the atmosphere, and teamwork.

What surprised the interns? On the more demanding side—responsibilities from the moment they walked in, the pace of work, and the need to collaborate with new, unfamiliar people. But there were also pleasant surprises: a friendly, open atmosphere, clear onboarding instructions, and substantive support at every step.

For some, navigating the complex structures of Warsaw-based corporations was difficult; at the same time, the internship offered a chance to experience a different work style and see how large companies operate. Not only did this broaden the participants’ horizons, it also helped them understand their preferences for a future workplace, recognise their strengths, and identify what they need to work on to manage adulthood even better.

After hours

The internship period also served as a rehearsal in independence. After work, the girls cooked and cleaned for themselves, planned and did their shopping. Living in a dormitory, they had their responsibilities, learned to manage a budget, and solved everyday problems. This wasn’t a simulation—it was real adult life, only with the safety net provided by the Foundation for Good Initiatives. That support ranged from practical help with accommodation, commuting, shopping, and getting around the city to emotional support. Weekly calls with Foundation supervisors helped the girls find their footing in different situations, feel more confident among new people and in an unfamiliar environment. They shared their doubts, successes, sorrows, and reflections.

What did the participants learn during this time? That independence is built from many small, everyday decisions and necessary tasks that each person must handle on their own. That money you earn yourself is harder to spend—yet the food you buy with it tastes better. That when you start a job, you don’t have to know everything; you just have to want to learn—and that’s enough at the beginning. And that when making important decisions, it’s worth giving yourself time.

Why is the internship programme so important for young people from foster care?

The report “Starting Adulthood” shows that only 12% of care-leavers from residential institutions receive help in finding a job. That is alarmingly low. At the same time, their chances of being accepted for an internship at a well-known company—one that would be a meaningful step on their career path—are negligible through standard recruitment. Consider limited mobility; the lack of psychological and material resources to develop talents and achieve distinctions during education; and the very common lack of self-confidence and belief in one’s abilities. All this means that young people from children’s homes often don’t even attempt to apply for jobs or internships in corporations, and many professional roles seem reserved for characters from films.

For our beneficiaries, a paid internship in such a work environment—with insurance and accommodation—is a huge opportunity to change their lives and the way they think about themselves, their future, and their place in the world. It sends a clear message: “You have potential. You can try. You deserve this.” And when they say, “I don’t know if I can do it,” our job is to say, “Give it a try. We’re right here with you.” That is exactly what we do at our Foundation, and through the internship programme and other initiatives we work to level the playing field for children from foster care—so they, too, can freely dream about who they will be in the future.

The experience of FGI’s internship participants shows that these dreams are within reach. Two of the interns are considering returning to roles similar to those they held during their placement—one even heard she is always welcome back and that the company would be happy to hire her permanently. Another concluded that, for now, the corporate world doesn’t feel like her path—but now she knows herself better and knows which environment makes her feel comfortable today. That’s crucial for building a sense of comfort and safety in the present, though it’s always good to stay open to new experiences and allow space for further reflection.

Want to give someone this kind of start?

Join our partners—companies that tangibly support young people on their path to independence. Share this idea with your HR department and put them in touch with the Foundation for Good Initiatives: fdi.org.pl/dla-biznesu. Together, we can change someone’s life for the better.