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r i experience goals. Leadership Development through Community Service provides a critical component reentering the community. Through a combination of engaging classroom activities and meaningful community service, while focusing on career options. For youth who committed an offense or delinquent act, community service provides an alternative disposition that serves both the community and the youth. Mentoring is a key program component. It provides youth with cone-on-one and group support for those who require additional assistance. Mentors also provide participants with real world job knowledge that can be invaluable. Mentoring services will be provided on an on-going basis by various partner agencies. Additionally, we will provide female mentors into the trade to work with the young women enrolled in the program. Once a participant has completed all the mandatory Workshops, Occupational Skills Training and received their industry recognized certification, they are then matched to an appropriate Job Placement opportunity based upon interest and skill levels and career ladder opportunities. The BRIDGE's job developer has cultivated relationships with various employers and labor unions throughout Santa Ana and Orange County. Our goal is to assist the participant in making the transition from program to the workforce a smooth one. The job developer not only maintains a database of all jobs but also those of related industries so a broader range of opportunities can be provided. In addition, participants will have access to the Santa Ana Work Center's job postings as well as job announcements from our participating employers, daily newspapers and other media with local job opportunities. Also available will be representatives from local labor unions who will provide additional information on entry into apprenticeship programs. Workshops on job search related topics; for example, interviewing, resumes, applications and career planning, are conducted on a regular basis for jobseekers. Entry level wages for Customer Service/ Retail Sector Industries ranges from $8.50 to $17.75 per hour. Job Coaching will be made available to participants who are seemingly having a difficult time maintaining and retaining a job. Job Coaching will continue throughout the program and on an as needed basis during the placement and retention period. The case manager is responsible for this on-going activity. Follow-up and Retention Services are critical elements to ensuring youth continue on the appropriate path toward meeting and exceeding their goals. The BRIDGE will ensure that all youth will be provided with the mandatory twelve months of post-program follow-up. Youth are typically exited from the program once they have achieved their service plan objectives. However, because WIA services are often a "spring board" to more long-term goals (e.g. high school graduation, enrollment into college, entry into apprenticeship programs), post-program follow-up is highly beneficial to youth. Case manager's contact exited youth on a monthly (or more frequent) basis to determine how they are progressing, if they have encountered any obstacles, and what circumstances may have changed (e.g. new job, enrollment into higher education, wage increases). If the participant is facing barriers to achieving their goals, staff can offer access to incentives or make pertinent referrals. Coaching and mentoring will also be made available to participants by staff. Follow-up will also serve as a tool to educate employers and unions and to help educational providers evaluate the validity of training. Follow-up contacts are recorded and maintained in participants' case files. The BRIDGE will provide Culminating Events to honor our participants. These special events will Page ~ 9 EXHIBIT A