Senate President pro-Tempore Toni G. Atkins will converse Friday throughout a presentation of a $1.4 million grant to San Diego Faculty of Persevering with Training and nonprofit Promises2Kids to assist former foster youth as they transition to maturity.
The grant will assist Promises2Kids’ Guardian Students program and SDCCE’s Gateway to Faculty and Profession in “constructing a seamless system of help for former foster youth looking for schooling and careers,” a press release from the organizations learn.
Guardian Students gives wrap-around companies that embody individualized case administration, one-on-one and group mentoring, and monetary help. SDCCE’s Gateway to Faculty and Profession presents paid internships, connections to business, help in securing a highschool diploma or equivalency, and a university and profession readiness course geared toward serving to youth discover viable pathways to a productive future.
“Transition-aged youth who’ve been within the foster system typically face an uphill battle in attaining their full potential,” Atkins mentioned. “These applications present important companies to assist college students succeed academically and put together for profitable and significant careers.”
The grant plans name for 30 youth being served within the first 12 months of the two-year grant and 60 being served in 12 months two.
The state award enhances a latest $1 million grant from the U.S. Division of Labor Group Undertaking Funding on the advice of Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, for the Gateway program.
Promises2Kids estimates there are greater than 1,500 younger adults who have been within the foster care system residing in San Diego County, and nationwide knowledge exhibits “alarmingly excessive unemployment charges amongst transition-age foster youth,” a nonprofit assertion reads.
“Promises2Kids mentorship and case administration paired with SDCEE academic help companies will make sure that these youth will earn their levels, one thing that solely 8% of foster youth obtain,” mentioned Promises2Kids CEO Tonya Torosian.
The SDCCE’s Gateway to Faculty and Profession is modeled after a nationwide Gateway to Faculty community. Based mostly on the SDCCE’s Instructional Cultural Advanced, it’s outfitted with school rooms, a pc lab, pantry and diapers for the youngsters of younger mother and father.
Frida Martinez is a Gateway alumna who can be talking on the Friday information convention. She got here to the Gateway program for assist in discovering work. Now she’s employed as an administrative assistant with the SDCCE Apprenticeship Readiness Program.
“The Gateway program made me understand that there are individuals on the market who cared about what I used to be going by way of and cared about my future,” she mentioned. “It was good to see that I didn’t have to do that on my own.”
–Metropolis Information Service
