Our current strategic plan calls for us to serve deeply and effectively. At Child Advocates, that means doing whatever it takes to ensure our Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs) have the tools they need to thrive. To better equip NMDs with the skills necessary for a successful transition to adulthood, we developed the Essential Life Skills Program. This program was made possible through the generosity of the Foxwynd Foundation DAF, which awarded $15,000 to the Foxwynd Foundation to donate to us, and the support of community partners, including Excite Credit Union, Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, Bill Wilson Center, The Hub, Pivotal and Left Coast Fitness.
The execution of this program was divided into three phases. During the first phase, we finalized a program curriculum, recruited NMD participants, collected resources and scheduled facilitators.
The second phase focused on implementing our Essential Life Skills Curriculum. Below you’ll find a description of what our youth have learned through each phase from its start in October to its end in November.
Lesson 1: Trader Joe’s Steak Wellington
Goal: Youth will be able to shop for groceries within a set budget and safely prepare a nutritious meal.
Each youth was given a one-week grocery budget, a single-burner hot plate, and a non-stick pan. With a prepared shopping list, they visited Trader Joe’s to practice budgeting and making thoughtful purchasing decisions.
On a separate day, participants were provided with ingredients, a recipe, and kitchen tools, and they learned to prepare a steak Wellington in a toaster oven.
Lesson 2: Employment Readiness Workshop
Goal: Youth will be able to write a resume, cover letters, fill out job applications and learn financial literacy.
During this workshop, youth were presented with information on how to find employment, including HR policies, interview skills, workplace etiquette and more. By the end of the workshop, each youth gained hands-on experience in writing a resume and applying for jobs.
Lesson 3: Housing Resources Workshop
Goal: Youth will be able to search for apartments and complete a housing application.
This workshop was presented by a Social Services Analyst who taught our youth about After-Care Plus, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) vouchers, apartment search strategies, tenant rights and more. By the end of the workshop, each participant had completed a mock rental application.
Lesson 4: Academics Workshop
Goal: Youth will explore post-secondary education pathways, financial aid options and time management strategies.
Our community partner, Pivotal, offered our youth a FAFSA step-by-step guide, scholarship lists, study schedules, and information on various postsecondary pathways.
Lesson 5: Mental and Physical Health Workshop
Goal: Youth will explore mindfulness activities they can implement into their personal routines.
Throughout this workshop, NMDs practiced mindfulness sessions, learned about Mindful Movements, built a self-care kit, and were introduced to the Art of Kintsugi as a reflection on healing and self-worth.
BONUS Workshop: Celebrating Growth
To finish our curriculum and celebrate our NMDs accomplishment, we decorated the holiday tree with the Kintsugi-inspired ornaments they had made in the previous lesson. Every participant was able to feel accomplished and celebrated in community with other NMDs, their supervisor and loved ones.
Finally, for our third step, we distributed post-program surveys to NMDs and conducted focus groups to collect qualitative feedback. Based on these responses, we will further analyze participants’ progress and implement any necessary changes to benefit our NMDs.
If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring a youth-related program, please contact our development department at development@childadvocatessv.org.