What type of community support does the Youth Department need right now?
The Youth Department could always benefit from monetary donations, as our programs currently survive on several funding streams that operate on a yearly basis, which creates a level of uncertainty as to what we can offer each year as funding streams come and go. Other types of community support the Youth Department could utilize right now are donated items that we can give to teens in need, such as school supplies, backpacks, notebooks, wellness items, toiletries, and other essentials. Perhaps most importantly, the Youth Department needs community support in establishing connections with potential school site administrators to establish services and increase our outreach specifically in Modesto City Schools.
Where are Youth advocates stationed? How many sites? What services do they provide?
Youth staff are currently serving Stanislaus county at Pitman High School, Patterson High School, Del Puerto High School, Glick Middle School, Stanislaus Military Academy, Stanislaus State, Stanislaus Juvenile Corrections, and Riverbank Elementary. Our Educators provide prevention and intervention curriculum to youth ages 5 to 17 in schools, correctional facilities, and our offices. They also provide educational presentations across the county, with some recent partners being Marshall Elementary, Elliot Alternative Education Center, Aspiranet, and Stanislaus State.
What would be your dream for the Youth Department?
Youth staff dream of our department being able to offer a robust array of services to address the needs of youth in our community. We dream of enhanced partnerships with other youth-serving agencies and expanding our services one day to be a place where youth can drop in to obtain basic needs support and person-centered case management. We dream of innovation and expanding culturally responsive services in areas of high need of support. Ultimately, we are working to make HAVEN’s name synonymous with violence prevention and youth empowerment in our community.