Provident partners with SLATE and Mental Health Board
Provident has launched Transitions to Work for Youth, a program for employing young people ages 16-21 who live in the city and have either not completed high school or have completed high school but have not had luck finding a job.
Transitions to Work for Youth helps young adults even if they suffer from
barriers such as substance abuse, homelessness, lack of transportation or
childcare, legal issues or have no work experience. The program wraps social
services around skill training, education and job placement in a program that will provide support through personal mentors and follows graduates for up to six months.
“I actually believe this program will help me become a successful person,” says David Downing, a Transitions to Work for Youth participant.
“It’s just up to the young person to use this as a stepping stone and take it as far as they want it to go.”
Participants in the program will:
• Receive vocational training for a job that fits their skills and interests
• Receive personal guidance
• Receive help with obtaining their GED or high school diploma
• Receive assistance with transportation, childcare and other financial needs while in training
• Get a job.
Ernest Sigh, another participant, said, “I’m looking into this program to further my education and knowledge to get a career because they say knowledge is key.”
The idea was developed by the St. Louis Mental Health Board (MHB) and the St. Louis Agency for Training and Employment (SLATE). Provident was chosen as the official lead agency to administer the Transitions to Work for Youth Program.
It will be a two-year employment program designed to serve 100 youth who face significant challenges.
Provident has partnered with Northside Community Center, Inc, Preferred Family Healthcare and Bridgeway Counseling Services to provide a full range of holistic services for this initiative.
“Our goal for this program is to address the numerous barriers that impede city youth from acquiring jobs and keeping them over the long term,” says Don Cuvo, executive director of MHB.
“We believe this program will equip youth with the necessary training, skills and support services to transition adolescents with multiple obstacles into responsible and productive young adults,” said SLATE’s Executive Director Tom Jones.
“We see this as a win-win for both the program participants and St. Louis, as
our city will benefit from the skills these kids bring to a job,” concluded
Johanna Wharton, vice president of community services at Provident.
To make a referral, contact Northside Community Center, 4120 Maffit Ave.,
St. Louis, MO 63113 or call (314) 531-4161 or (314) 610-8356
For all other inquiries, contact Provident Shreve Neighborhood Center, 4008 Shreve Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63115, call (314) 898-WORK (9675) or visit www.providentstl.org.