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<br /> CITY OF SANTA ANA
<br /> SUFK OC trained mentors serve as a guide throughout the mentoring program. They provide each youth a
<br /> stable, healthy, trusting, adult relationship. In addition, they help the youth establish personal goals,
<br /> overcome obstacles, identify and build on their strengths and obtain the self-confidence needed to maintain
<br /> a productive life. We believe that the key to our success is the relationship developed between the youth
<br /> and their adult mentor.The mentor provides the youth direction,support, encouragement, and
<br /> accountability while the youth develops a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and empowerment.
<br /> Over the past 21 years,the JTS/R vITS curriculum and mentor model,has proven successful in helping
<br /> thousands of at-risk OC youth gain independence.Notably,the JTS curriculum and mentor model is being
<br /> adopted county-wide in OC for use with transition-aged youth(TAY) (16-24 years old) experiencing
<br /> homelessness.
<br /> We serve exclusively youth as their needs are unique compared to adults. They typically have little life
<br /> experience,no work experience,limited education, and recent trauma. Last year,38%of youth we
<br /> reported mental health problems,including depression, anxiety disorders,PTSD, suicidal ideation, and
<br /> substance addiction. 14%had drug or alcohol abuse issues and 26%reported being subject to domestic
<br /> violence. 27%had children, and 22%were in foster care. Over half of the girls we served experienced
<br /> human trafficking,rape, and/or pregnancy.
<br /> We provide support for all youth facing challenges such as trauma, addiction,behavioral issues and mental
<br /> health challenges. SUFK OC staff and volunteers receive continuous training in order to provide the most
<br /> comprehensive care possible and ensure the use of best practices.Training includes crisis intervention,
<br /> trauma-informed care, adverse childhood experiences, implicit bias identification,mental/behavioral
<br /> health,positive youth development, social-emotional learning, coping strategies and harm-reduction
<br /> education. In addition, we maintain an extensive referral network for youth needing special care for
<br /> addiction recovery,behavioral issues, and mental health disorders. In these situations, we will provide a
<br /> soft handoff to the provider and in some cases, cover the youth's healthcare expenses, as needed.
<br /> Through coordinated training and collaboration with our referral partners,we are able to address the
<br /> unique needs of many subpopulations of youth who are experiencing homelessness,have runaway, or are
<br /> at-risk,including,but not limited to the following: 1) youth who are pregnant or parenting;2) system-
<br /> involved youth, to include juvenile justice and child welfare; 3)labor and/or sexually trafficked or
<br /> exploited youth; 4)youth with addictions and substance abuse issues, 5) youth with mental disorders; and
<br /> 6)other vulnerable populations (e.g.,tribal youth,LGBTQLk2S+, and youth with disabilities).
<br /> 10. Workshops
<br /> SUFK OC provides workshops for youth throughout the mentoring program including all of the
<br /> following marked with an X, and indicates at what stage of mentoring the workshop is provided.
<br /> 1. X Financial Literacy/Budget Management(Financial Awareness Stage of JTS/RMTS)
<br /> 2. X Entrepreneur Skills Training(SUFK OC Project L.E.E.V.E. -Employment Stages of JTS)
<br /> 3. X Labor Market Information(Employment Readiness Stage of JTS/RMfS)
<br /> 4. X Family Planning (Personal Management Stage JTS/RMTS, as appropriate, or by referral)
<br /> 5. X Worker's Rights/Labor Laws(Employment Retention Stage of JTS/RMTS)
<br /> 6. X Analytical Skills at the Workplace(Employment Retention/Financial Awareness JTS/RMTS)
<br /> 7. X Health Resources(Basic Needs Stage of JTS/RMTS)
<br /> 8. X Professional Communication Skills (verbal,written,physical) (Employment Preparation,
<br /> Employment Retention and Personal Management Stage of JTS/RMTS (verbal,written,physical)
<br /> 9. X Navigating the Workplace(Employment Retention Stage of JTS/RMTS)
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