Youth Transition & Mentoring Initiative

Submitted by Aaron T. Baier on Wed, 11/05/2008 - 11:06

the problem:

Each year, youth with disabilities leave high school with no plan for higher education or community based employment. Our goal is to ensure each youth has an understanding of their abilities and is ready for their individual transition into the community.

vital stats:

people impacted:

1,500

people involved:

why it's important:

Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. (ATI) is one of 40 not-for-profit independent living centers (ILC) in New York State. ATI aims to be Cortland County’s leading resource center for the provision of information and support services to people with disabilities, the community and organizations within Cortland County, New York. ATI works to provide guidance and advocacy to people with disabilities in all areas that affect their choice to fully participate as independent persons. ATI strives to advocate for the removal of barriers both attitudinal and structural that affect the inclusion of people with disabilities. ATI will address issues related to youth transition through implementation of a mentoring initiative and support network run by youth, for youth.

the plan of action:

-ATI successfully developed and sustained a Peer Mentoring Program and will continue to develop this program to be more youth driven.
-ATI will partner with Youth Power! to develop a youth-driven support network.
-ATI is partnering with the Cortland High School on a "Model Transition Program" tp provide youth with the transition skills they will need to successfully achieve their goals.

how you can get involved:

Individuals with disabilities, in college or who are successfully employed, can mentor youth as they make their transition into the local community.

project updates:

05/12/2009

Update:

The Youth Transition & Mentoring Initiative has been taking strides toward a more effective transition system for youth.

First and foremost, we have reached our goal of raising $20,000 to continue this project and also to fund othe youth initiatives provided by Access to Independence.

We are now working closely with Youth Power! a New York State, youth driven networking organization dedicated to youth voice in systems change. Youth Power! is comprised of youth with disabilities and and social/emotional challenges. Through this partnership, we have facilitated an engagement event at one high school and received a positive response from many students and teachers.

Currently we are working to start a regular group where youth can network and work on issues that concern their transition out of high school.

Photos:

Comments

jexa114 says:

Wow, it sounds like you are doing some phenomenal work! Mentoring really is an effective way to build solid relationships and motivate youth to dream big and turn their ambitions to reality!! Keep up the fantastic job!

Youth Transition & Mentoring Initiative

the problem:

vital stats:

why it's important:

the plan of action:

how you can get involved:

project updates:

Comments

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