CHARTIABLE VENTURES OF ORANGE COUNTY (DBA PROJECT KINSHIP)

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pJzoJl,c'y Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) Santa Ana Workforce Development Board: Youth Service Provider Participant Vignette #1: Stewart enrolled in the Project Kinship Workforce Program in December of 2017. After becoming employed for just a week, he realized that he would need more support to retain employment. Stewart struggled with substance abuse as a teen and young adult. He was born into a family with a legacy of gang involvement. During his gang involvement, Stewart was shot at just 15 years old. Stewart suffers repercussions from his injury in the form of occasional seizures and persistent nerve damage. Despite these challenges, he remains clean, sober, out of jail, and employed full-time. Stewart is in close contact with his Case Manager and actively participates in their mentoring relationship. Stewart has requested tattoo removal services to remove his gang -associated tattoos. Along with continuing employment, he hopes to return to school and become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, serving youth with similar struggles. Participant Vignette #2: Sandra enrolled in the Project Kinship Workforce Program in January of 2018. She heard about Project Kinship through her friend Janet, after Janet had enrolled in the Workforce Program. Janet had been linked with the UCI Criminal Justice Clinic offered at Project Kinship and told Sandra that there was a possibility that she would be able to work in the medical field if her record was expunged. Until their conversation, Sandra did not think her dream was possible. After Sandra enrolled in the Workforce Program she met with a representative from UCI and began the process of expunging her record. Sandra is currently on parole and has been involved with the justice system through much of her youth. After serving two years in prison due to a sentence with gang enhancements, she was released and in need of support. Sandra's husband is currently incarcerated and she stated that she is pretty much "on her own" as far as getting help and securing resources. Sandra suffered from substance abuse in the past and wanted to make sure during her transition from prison, she did not return to past destructive habits. Since her enrollment, she has accessed all the services available to her through the Workforce Program. She attended the FAFSA workshop, hoping to apply for school in the fall, but actually enrolled for summer classes since her FAFSA was quickly approved. She is utilizing the tattoo removal services provided in partnership with Homeboy Industries so that Project Kinship participants can remove gang -related tattoos. Sandra stated that she would like to receive a promotion at work and move to the office section where she would have more of an administrative position. Recognizing that a promotion would require her to dress more professionally, she requested Supportive Services for clothing. Project Kinship staff was able to take her shopping for appropriate work attire. Sandra communicates regularly with her Case Manager and recently referred another friend to Project Kinship for Workforce Program. Sandra is hopeful that her record will be eligible for expungement, despite the fact that she is currently on parole.