The purpose of this grant is to provide life skills programs for homeless and unstably housed youth in Jefferson County, Kentucky. The primary goal is for target youth to increase the number of critical life skills they possess to become more self-sufficient. This project aims to provide life skills education (e.g., workforce prep, communication & conflict resolution) to homeless or unstably housed youth ages 12 to 22 years.  

Participants completed an adapted common measures pre-survey (workforce preparation) which resulted in them indicating their need to acquire more skills to be career ready. During this reporting period, 541 group and 69 one-on-one life skills lessons were provided. More than 350 youth participated in the 2 grants sites with over 3378 contacts during the year. Youth were given an option to create a monthly personal development plan that outlined their self-sufficiency goals and steps to reach their goals. A total of 189 plans were created between both sites. Classes were taught by CYFAR staff, Shelter House staff, interns, volunteers, and youth. Topics included workplace readiness, budgeting, gardening, healthy choices, physical activity, safety, communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, decision making, problem solving, stress and anger management, safety, etc. Most of the youth who participated in the Shelter House site have successfully returned home. At the Youth Development Center site, more than 24 youth have gained employment directly through the program and have been able to maintain employment for at least 6 months. Fifteen homeless young adults gained access to stable housing with the assistance of site staff. Seventeen youth worked toward completion of their GED, with 4 obtaining their GED and 8 youth began attending higher education institutions. By the end of the reporting period, 35 youth active in the YDC program were working or attending school.