Grant provides life planning, job readiness for young women ...

Published Wednesday, August 31, 2011 12:14 pm EST

The Partnership for Families, Children and Adults in Chattanooga has received a $60,000 grant to offer young women training and guidance on job readiness and life planning.

Over the next two years, 55 young women between the ages of 12 and 24 years of age will be drawn from the Partnership's foster care network, the family violence center, and the 'building stable lives' program to participate in the new Career Quest offering funded by the grant.

Funding for Career Quest is provided by a Assets For Life grant from the National Crittenton Foundation though a $2 million gift Crittenton received from the Walmart Foundation.

"We hope that this will help young girls develop a better vision of themselves than might be their current view. That means visioning living out of poverty, living in safety and having healthy relationships," Partnership Chief Executive Officer Sandra Hollett said.

Upon completing the program, each participant will receive a $100 savings account thanks to an additional grant provided by Chattanooga-based Families Inc.

During a time when many non-profit agencies are experiencing funding cuts, Hollet said the new resources are a rare opportunity to build on existing programs and provide direct services without many constraints.

"Most grants that we receive have priorities set by the source of the money. This grant was really a collaborative process and we were able to choose from local priorities. We selected career development because we felt that was the most pressing issue for our young women," Hollett said.

"What makes this grant?which is called Assets for Life?unique is that its goal is to support and build on existing capacity. This means the funds are enabling agencies to ... expand current programs to serve more young women," according to the Crittenton Foundation website.

WHAT IS INCLUDED Create career visions Identify action plans Job skills coaching Resume assistance Interview skills Job search skills Job retention skills Personal development of goals and life vision

Hollett said the $60,360 grant received in Chattanooga will cover the cost of a part time job coach/trainer for a 24-month period. Client transportation and additional incidental costs will also be paid for by the grant.

The competencies and skills within the Partnership will also be enhanced by creating opportunities for current staff to work with the trainer who will be working with the clients.

"This is sustainable. We are taking the trainer approach so that at least five of our case managers will be able to deliver the content of the curriculum after the grant period," she said.

The agency is currently recruiting for the job coach position and Hollett said they hope to kick off the program by Oct. 15.

Source: http://www.nooga.com/14419_grant-provides-life-planning-job-readiness-for-young-women/

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