AI Freelancer Academy | Azgari Foundation

◆ Azgari Foundation • 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Every Young Person Deserves a Real Shot

A free 28-week program teaching at-risk youth ages 16–24 how to earn a living from a laptop. Real digital skills. Real clients. Real income.

Apply for Scholarship See the Program

Azgari LipshyFounder • SCORE Mentor • Speaker

13,880+

Opportunity youth in Austin alone

20%

Of foster youth become homeless the day they age out

$2–5K/mo

Target graduate income within 6 months

28 Weeks

From zero skills to earning a living

Young people collaborating and learning together

The Problem

Potential Without a Path

Every year, thousands of young people in Austin are stuck. Not in school. Not employed. No one taught them how to earn a living — especially online, where the opportunity is greatest.

For foster youth aging out of the system, it's even harder. No family safety net. No guidance on housing, healthcare, or banking. Just a birthday that suddenly makes them responsible for everything.

Our answer: Teach them real, marketable digital skills powered by AI — and wrap it with the life skills they need to actually survive while they build their career.

The Program

7 Phases. 28 Weeks. One Goal: Income.

24 weeks of intensive skills training followed by 4 weeks of co-working where students land real paying clients alongside mentors.

Phase 1 • Weeks 1–4

Foundation & Mindset

AI tools, professional identity, career exploration, and communication skills

Phase 2 • Weeks 5–8

Content Creation & Video

Graphic design, video production, AI content tools, and copywriting

Phase 3 • Weeks 9–12

Digital Marketing

Social media management, email marketing, paid ads, and website building

Phase 4 • Weeks 13–16

Business Development & Sales

Customer prospecting, sales calls, CRM, and client management

Phase 5 • Weeks 17–20

Business Operations & Money

LLC setup, pricing, invoicing, payments, bookkeeping, and taxes

Phase 6 • Weeks 21–24

Launch & Graduate

Portfolio launch, real client projects, certifications, and graduation

Phase 7 • Weeks 25–28

Co-Working & Client Acquisition

Weekly sessions alongside mentors — prospecting, pitching, delivering, and earning real money

“No one taught me how to make money. This program would have changed everything.”

Our students don't need charity. They need skills, tools, mentorship, and a real shot.

Career Paths

6 Paths to Earning a Living

Students explore all six, then specialize in the one that matches their strengths.

Video Creator

$25–100+/hr

Produce and edit videos, tutorials, and YouTube content for businesses

Content Marketer

$20–80+/hr

Blog posts, SEO content, email newsletters, and ad copywriting

Social Media Manager

$500–5K+/mo per client

Manage accounts, create content calendars, and grow audiences

Virtual Assistant

$15–50+/hr

Admin, email, scheduling, research, and data management with AI

Web Designer

$500–5K+ per site

Build websites, landing pages, and e-commerce stores

Business Dev Rep

$45K–120K+ salary

Lead generation, outreach, sales calls, and CRM management

Foster Youth Life Skills Track

More Than Business Skills

For youth aging out of foster care, freelance skills alone aren't enough. When you don't have a family to call when the rent is late or you don't know how health insurance works — no amount of Canva training will save you.

Our Life Skills Track covers everything a young person needs when they don't have a safety net. Woven throughout the core program — not taught as a separate, stigmatizing class.

Housing & Stability

Leases, renter's rights, HUD vouchers, budgeting for rent and deposits

Banking & Credit

First bank account, building credit from zero, avoiding predatory lending

Healthcare

Medicaid enrollment (free until 26), finding doctors, mental health resources

Legal Documents

Birth certificate, SSN, state ID, requesting records, record expungement

Texas Benefits

ETV ($5K/yr), free college tuition at public schools, extended care until 22

Food & Daily Living

Cooking basics, grocery budgeting, SNAP benefits, Austin food banks

Transportation

Driver's license, car buying basics, CapMetro, insurance requirements

Emotional Wellness

Building support systems, stress management, crisis resources, chosen family

One Caring Adult Can Change Everything

Research shows that a single consistent, supportive relationship is the biggest factor in a young person's success after foster care.

Get Involved

We Need People to Build This

This program doesn't exist yet. We're building it from scratch and need volunteers, partners, and sponsors to launch the first cohort.

501(c)(3) Status: Application filed with IRS (December 2025). Expected approval in 2026. Actively building the program now.

Curriculum Advisors

2–4 hrs/month

Review and refine lesson plans based on your industry experience.

Session Mentors

3–4 hrs/week during program

Show up weekly to help students with hands-on projects and share real-world experience.

1-on-1 Student Mentors

1–2 hrs every 2 weeks

Be paired with a student for bi-weekly check-ins. Be the consistent adult who shows up.

Guest Speakers

One-time: ~1 hour

Share your career story or demonstrate a skill. One conversation can change a trajectory.

Outreach & Partnerships

3–5 hrs/week (pre-launch)

Connect us with Austin organizations that serve at-risk youth.

Fundraising & Sponsorships

3–5 hrs/week (pre-launch)

Research grants, draft sponsorship pitches for software companies, and plan campaigns.

Volunteer With Us

Join our team of mentors, advisors, and supporters building this program from the ground up.

Apply for the Program

Are you 16–24 and ready to learn real skills that pay? Apply for a full scholarship.

Apply for Scholarship →

These Kids Just Need a Shot

Whether you want to volunteer your time, apply as a student, or help fund the mission — there's a place for you here.

Volunteer Now Apply for Scholarship