We will incorporate mentoring as part of our approach to preventing and reducing factors that contribute to running away and homelessness, particularly, victimization (such as physical and sexual assault), mental health problems (such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality), and substance use and abuse, as well as economic hardship and lack of education and employment opportunities. Mentoring will integrate our trauma-informed, counseling and street-based services, and include career exploration, vocational training and job readiness activities. We utilize an evidence-informed and community-led approach that has demonstrated potential to contribute to positive outcomes for at-risk youth across a variety of demographic groups More specifically, mentoring has been an effective early-intervention for a variety of at-risk youth behaviors, including underage drinking, drug abuse, truancy, poor school performance, juvenile crime, gang activity. When youth are matched with a trained, caring, mentor, grades improve, school absenteeism is minimized, and participants gain new confidence and hope for the future. We anticipate mentoring will help alleviate some of the factors that cause youth to run away, drop out of school or engage in crime.

Employment & Vocational Training Services: We provide employment and vocational training services. Services consist of a 90-Day Training Program specifically customized for unemployed adults, low-income adults, homeless adults, and runaway and homeless youth. The program has four phases: I) Risk Assessment and Rehabilitation; II) Education and Vocational Training; III) Entrepreneurship and/or Job Assistance; IV) Evaluation, Resources, and Ongoing Success. Phase I, Risk Assessment and Rehabilitation, involves four components or services: intake, orientation and onboarding; case management services; transitioning services (to transition mindsets from homelessness and other high-risk environments); and dressing for success. Phase II, Education and Vocational Training, entails seven components: Microsoft Suite Training with a Certified Microsoft Instructor; Financial Courses; Specialized Trade Training with Certificates (e.g., masonry, construction, commercial driving, food handlers); effective communication in the workplace; starting a business; effective business writing; effective resume building; and how to successfully interview and obtain employment. Phase II, Entrepreneurship and/or Job Assistance includes three services: entrepreneurship training; customized certification training (e.g., in skills needed to obtain funding for career training, etc.); and GED program training. Phase IV, Evaluation, Resources, and Ongoing Success, entails three services: outboarding services, to help participants sustain housing and employment; case management services, to provide resources and referrals to sustain resources for housing, utilities, food and jobs; and continuing education services, to further help participants sustain employment.

The evaluation component of our program and services employs the Kirkpatrick Model and uses a pre-post testing design. The Kirkpatrick Model has four levels: 1) Reaction: this is learner-focused and measures learner satisfaction, engagement and relevance; 2) Learning: measures the acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes, confidence and commitment; 3) Behavior: measures behavioral changes to determine if learners are applying their learning, and whether they correctly understood what they were taught, and if the training was applicable to their experience as a homeless or marginalized youth; and 4) Results: measures training outcomes, such as increases in job placement and job retention, increases in trade or vocational school enrollment and completion certificate, and increases in GEDs obtained. This level also looks at leading indicators and short-term observations and measurements that suggest critical behaviors are on track to create a positive impact on desired results.