The Independent Living Program is designed to provide life-influencing experiences for young adults, ages 18 to 21, that have aged out of foster care or who otherwise find themselves homeless. Through a curriculum that focuses on personal development and on building essential life skills, the program supports and assists participants in making a successful transition to independent living. 

Our Case Management approach uniquely incorporates asset development and utilizes experiential methodologies and activities. In addition, non-traditional venues, client- driven documentation, and positive peer and adult influences are incorporated. Program members have the opportunity to focus on their abilities as individuals as well as to discover their role in a larger community.

Referrals are accepted exclusively from the Department of Social Services for enterance into this program due to funding constraints. 

Program Structure

Program framework consists of three distinctive components:

• Personal Development
• Professional Development
• Life Skills Development

Personal Development

This component has an internal focus on asset development, capitalizing on the qualities that each member possesses. Staff focus on each client’s “areas to explore” and invest in helping them manage their individual challenges. Participants set realistic goals to achieve, not as an endpoint, but as a milestone from which they can continue on their own.

Professional Development

Clients receive job readiness training, focusing on resume writing and interviewing skills, as well as workplace ethics and challenges. These ongoing issues are addressed with the participants during their on-site mentoring that takes place a minimum of two hours per week. Additionally, members work with staff to develop a career track based on their education, abilities and interests.

Life Skills Development

Clients participate in Life Skills Learning Sessions where they acquire knowledge and life skills essential for independence. Members demonstrate their understanding of a particular skill or issue through peer teaching, group dialogue, and individual presentations to members of the Independent Living Program. Topic areas include, but are not limited to:

• Education
• Employment/Career Opportunities
• Socialization
• Budgeting
• Community Engagement and Service
• Creative Expression
• Critical Thinking
• Physical Well-being /Health

Evaluation

Participants are required to develop a personal action plan that serves as a benchmark for their progression during the program. These personal development goals are evaluated mutually with staff every two months, allowing clients to engage in personal reflection and continued goal-setting. Our primary goal is for all participants to successfully secure housing, edcucation and employment upon graduation from the program.

Follow-up

After graduation from the program, staff will maintain phone and/or personal contact for a period of up to six months to insure client stability and continued access to vital resources.

Orientation

Program participants receive an individual orientation with the program staff on their first day. This orientation includes an overview of program guidelines, expectations and scheduling as well as a facility tour. All new participants will start the program on the first available Saturday.

Residential Amenities:

• Private room
• Shared bathroom
• Shared washer and dryer
• Communal kitchen
• Communal living room
• Computer lab
• Shared entertainment – TV/VCR, music
• Deck
• Lawn
• Porch