Creating a Social Program
Shanequa Young
HSM 240
March 30, 2014
Lori Moon

Creating a Social Program Department of Education The Shanequa L. Young Foundation is respectfully requesting a grant in the amount of $125,000, for our Youth Empowerment Program. As one of the largest teen outreach programs, we are aware of the changing demographics in our service area. We are committed to ensure our project meets the needs of the addressed purpose. Our intentions are to (1) provide comprehensive access to social services for teens in low income communities to decrease the dropout rate, and (2) educate our staff, board and volunteers of the Youth Empowerment Program of our mission, goals and objectives and cultural competency. Our Board of Directors is eager to launch this project, in an effort to be the most successful and culturally competent program for teens within the demographic area. With our commitment to the program, we would like to integrate some of the profits into the annual operating budget. This will ensure after success, to continue the program for another year. Thank you for your consideration, and schedule a follow up with any questions or concerns you may have. I will be honored to meet and discuss the merits of our proposal. Please feel free to contact Douglas D. Griffin, our Director of Development, at (972)-480-2125 or griffin_doug@yahoo.com

Sincerely, Shanequa L. Young Executive Director
The Youth Empowerment Program is created to help teens further their education, and obtain job training skills. There are many reasons a teen cannot continue school, so the purpose is to strengthen, not judge the situation. Teen pregnancy, unemployment or homelessness can be several disadvantages to not obtaining their diploma. All members of staff will be hired and trained to deal with each of these social issues. We are considering a 1-2 year timeframe to measure the effectiveness of the program. Careful research will be done to see if there are any other programs of this nature in the community. When sharing a community, the focus should be on how the two can partner up to cross reference clients. This will also establish a relationship between the two agencies, in the event we do not offer the same services. We are committed to helping teens strengthen and better their lives, to where the fullest extent of effort will be applied to the program. Youth Empowerment will offer G.E.D classes, or help them return to school and obtain their diploma. Sex, race or disability will not be an issue, but there will be an age limitation (16-21). Ages 16-18 will be eligible for any services available, but 19-21 will only be eligible for G.E.D classes and job training. Computer access, books, clothing and transportation vouchers will be available for all participants. This will ensure they have all the items needed to study, and the success of the intended mission. According to the “Center for Disease Control”, teen pregnancy was at a high in 2011 between the ages of 15-19, but decreased in the following year. Studies also show there were a total of 329,797 babies born in 2011. This was an 8% decrease from 2010, and continued to drop. Ages 15-17 decreased by 11%, and 18-19 by 7% (Center for Disease Control, 2012). I believe organizations such as the Youth Empowerment Program contributes to the success of teen pregnancy rates declining. Our program will educate on abstinence, and practicing safe sex. Future research will be done to further educate both our staff and participants. The unemployment rates as well as the dropout rates have changed over the years. The “Bureau of Labor Statistics” states there was a 7.3% increase in October of 2013. In less than five weeks, unemployment by duration changed from 2,413 people in October, 2012 to 2,585 in October, 2013(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013).A discontinuance of education can be caused by not having a job to pay for a babysitter. This in return is why our job assessment part of the program is so important. In 2011, the dropout rate declined by 5% from 12% in 1990. The status dropout rates represent 16-24 year old between Caucasian, African Americans and Hispanics. In this timeframe Hispanics declined the most from 32% to 14%, as to Caucasians declining by 4% and African Americans 5% ( U.S. Department of Education, 2013).All the services provided by our program will be beneficial to the decline of youth dropout rates. Homeless or runaway youth are at a greater risk of becoming dropouts. 75% of homeless or runaway youth have or will dropout of school (“National Conference of State Legislature,”2013). Many youth encounter family problems such as sexual or mental abuse, in which causes them to runaway. Parent can lose their job, and are not able to provide housing. At that point, the parents are more concerned with finding employment, than their child going to school. This in return causes the teen to give up, and not be concerned as well. There are many ways these types of organizations are beneficial to the participants and staff. Many services and benefits will be offered throughout the program. We will also be committed to creating as many activities as possible to ensure the success of the program. Resume writing, verbal training skills and safe sex classes will be a few of the many electives added. Participants will be given certificates, and a suit or dress upon completion of the program. There will be classes to teach them posture and key words to use during interviews. We will give referrals to those who choose to receive birth control. After the second year of progress, Youth Empowerment will strive to add a daycare center on the property or in the community. It is hard for a person to study when focusing on the well-being of their child. This pertains to my beliefs of “no child left behind.” Each member of the Board will be chosen from a select few of people who are more concerned with the productivity of the organization. This will affirm the long time success of the agency so we can grow. The immediate staff will be trained to perform the organizations mission, regardless of their experience. This has to be done to separate those who are for the agency, from those who are for the people. It is mainly about the focus on ideologies and values, to ensure the agency follows all legal standards. There will be a Director of Development as the face and voice of the organization and the community. This said person will schedule appointments, sit in meetings and a host of other duties. I, as the Executive Director will deal with the financing, marketing, production and human resources of the program. The Assistant Director will help lessen the load so I can focus more on the success of the mission. I have manager and trainers to deal hands on with the participants, and an outside consultant for additional service. This is considered a non-profit organization, so I will be interested in as many options of funding available. I will be requesting any donations and investments from anyone who wishes to donate. This includes volunteer work, clothing or any materials needed to keep the program effective. A disclosure statement will be provided with legal information on Fiscal annual reports, IRS forms, fact sheets, and contact information. This will ensure any additional information the donors or investors may have. Funded amounts received will only be disclosed to the donors and investors to the organization. Many people do not have the same “drive” as others, so the program will be directed toward teaching them how. I was 16 years old when I became pregnant, and 17 when I had my son. I did not have any body to teach me how to practice safe sex, or how teen pregnancy would affect me. I had no money for daycare, and my mother worked two jobs. If I was at school and she was called to work, I would have to leave school. My mother supported us for the most part, and we received government assistance. We where given SNAP benefits, and TANF for things we could not purchase with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance. I was determined to return to school, but it seemed the harder I tried, the more I failed. Over time things became better for us because we received Child Care Management Services (CCMS) and public housing, and by this time I was old enough to work. In my mind I had a job, so there was no need for me to return to school. Eventually in 2000, I returned and received my G.E.D, and this was the first step to strengthening my life. This is my reason for feeling programs of this nature are beneficial because everyone needs help at times. Had it not been for these types of programs, I would not be presenting this proposal. Many organizations are created for a distinct cause; Youth Empowerment is to ensure anyone would not have to struggle as I did. Much of the help needed over the years, has expanded further than we can see. Knowing the right people or the right information can help with many advances in life. Anyway possible, our commitment is to ensure the dropout rates do not start to increase. This is one of the main reasons I chose to work in the human service field. I would like to affirm my readiness to answer any and all questions, and thank you again for considering this proposal. I would like to propose my program theory, design and specification as well. I. Program Theory *Dropouts * Youth are dropping out of school, and many do not return * Homelessness, unemployment and teen pregnancy are related to this matter. II. Program Design (Intended to control dropout rates) a) Create programs to focus on these issues 1. offer G.E.D classes 2. teach job training skills b) computer testing to record participants grade average c) hire trained and skilled staff members to aid in the process III. Program Specification a) Concepts to be learned by participant Program requirements: What is expected of participants? Attendance/participation/ completion 1. 13 hours a week 2. reading material given 3. writing resumes 4. participate in job assessment 5. become self-sufficient 6. complete computer assessment 7. participate in workbook and worksheet assessment a) Educational process must include 1) Class participation with peers 2) Video demonstration of the organizations expectations 3) One-on-one opportunity to speak with the Director of Development with any questions, concerns or ideas

In conclusion, the Youth Empowerment Programs determination to educate and strengthen youth and families is our main focus. This will ensure the possibility of gaining structure and direction with our services. Any and all steps will be taken to exceed our goals and objectives. As long as the organization receives funding, we will continue to forego our mission. With the help of parents and teens, this program most definitely will succeed.

References Bureau of Labor Statistic. (2013). Retrieved from http://Data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS1400000 Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Retrieved from http://m.cdc.cov/enHealthSafetyTopics National Conference of State Legislature. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/homeless-and-runaways
U.S Department of Education. (2013). Retrieved from http://Nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/displays.asp?id=16