O.C. YOUTH COMMISSION 6 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orange County Youth Commission Sanra Ana, California Our educational strategy includes: pre-testing with T ABE, assistance with homework, together identifying academic weaknesses, providing remediation activities and lessons addressing weaknesses, identifying and maximizing academic strengths, and helping them to recognize where they excel and how their strengths and the activities they enjoy can be applicable to specific careers or academic pursuits. Collaboratively with staff, clients will set individual academic goals dealing with basic skills attainment (numerology and literacy gains) and discuss intermediate goals such finishing high school and long-range vocational goals. Case management will provide documentation of the interventions and progress in attaining these goals. A post-test will be given when a client exits the program. Periodic testing may be given after 6 months and 9 months of the program to assess progress and provide continuous improvement of the program design. Once the client exits the program, staff will continue to follow up with the clients for 12 months by phone calls, counseling and invitation to program activities. The Sports Club Director will continue to attend youth development training by attending seminars and workshops that are available in the community. Last year, he was enrolled in three workshops which included the topic of dealing with Adolescent Behavior Dysfunctions. Mentoring. An important component of our mentoring program is the regular presentations by community members. About twice per week, a local business person, community worker or leader gives an hour of their time to speak to the youth about how they achieved their career or job goals. These individuals include entrepreneurs, craftsmen, police officers, firefighters, attorneys, judges, engineers, etc. During the past year, we have had guest speakers including the sports editor ofthe Daily Pilot newspaper, an owner of a roofing company, a banker and a gang-prevention counselor. We ask them to share with the youth about how they first had the dream of becoming their chosen profession, then how they strategized to meet that goal, what community resources they tapped how they overcame barriers to reach that goal, what lessons they learned and what they would do differently if they could. We then ask these individuals to allow interested youth to contact them for advice as they pursue a particular job or career goal. Thus, the mentoring relationship is born. Those youth who have graduated from the program are welcome to return to listen to these presentations, as well, to gain additional motivation and insight. This is one avenue we intend to use to guide our youth to gain career awareness; make career decisions and plans; and understand market needs, trends and opportunities. We also incorporate a peer mentoring program where those who have completed the program can return to mentor younger, newer Club members. This has a two-way positive effect.