2. 2
Background
Youth Engagement Services (formerly known as Transitional Living) restarted in April 2015 after a seven year hiatus.
Previously, A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI) offered Transitional Living services to Independent Living-eligible youth.1
During the hiatus, the Department of Human Services (DHS) took control of the Independent Living and higher
Educational needs of youth in care by having Independent Living Workers and Educational Liaisons at a few key areas
around the city of Pittsburgh. ASCI knew that the Department of Human Services was looking to create a “one stop
shop” for independent living services for all youth in Allegheny County, and wanted to supplement those services with
complimentary programming for youth with emphasis on life skill building, leadership development, and community
service.
Youth Engagement Services has three main groups and several youth-specific special events:
Core Groups
o Teen and Adolescent Group Support (TAGS)
o Life Skills Youth Need In Real Life (IRL)
o Kinship Youth Advisory Board (KYAB)
Special Programs
o A Dance For Life
o Camp COPES
o ASCI Reads
Teen and Adolescent Group Support (TAGS)
Weekly discussions about current situations youth are facing such as bullying, coping with grief and loss, rejecting
stereotypes, building strong friendships, healthy dating relationships, exploring careers, and more.
Each month TAGS has a field trip. Past field trips include: Pirates Baseball Games, Steelers Football Games, Plays,
Museums, and Cinema Showings. Youth are encouraged to pick the topics for TAGS on a quarterly basis, and youth input
should be honored as much as possible.
IRL: Skills You Need In Real Life
Weekly workshops on the following core areas on a rotating basis:
· Leadership Development
· Career Prep
· Communication Skills
· Global & Cultural Awareness
· Developing Sense of Self
· Service to Others
· Wellness
· Appreciation of the Arts
Past IRL events include career fairs, local college tours, financial aid workshops, resume workshops, job
readiness training, and paid opportunities for youth personal development. Former paid opportunities include
YouthWorks Job Readiness Training, Opportunity Passport, and various youth Career Fairs. YouthWorks Job Readiness
1
Youth ages 16-24 who are involved in foster care
3. 3
Training was offered through a partnership with Goodwill and their Age Up, Not Out (AUNO) project. Goodwill provided
a YouthWorks facilitator, workbooks, organizational reimbursement for a group meal, and a $50 stipend for each
participating youth (14-19 years old). The grant that funded YouthWorks expired in May of 2016, so the partnership is
unable to be renewed. Opportunity Passport is a program created by the Jim Casey Foundation and youth alumni of the
foster care system to teach financial independence skills to youth in foster care. There are seven core modules and
several bonus modules where youth can learn about financial empowerment and earn a $50 stipend. Opportunity
Passport also matches youth savings at a 1:1 ratio, up to $3000 for a eligible independent living purchase (like a vehicle,
apartment deposit, or college tuition). Opportunity Passport offers several modules each month at two downtown
locations.
Kinship Youth Advisory Board (KYAB)
For youth leaders (14-21 years old) currently or formerly in kinship care to advocate for the safety, permanency, and
well-being of their peers. KYAB meets on the third Saturday of each month.
The KYAB leads panels and presentations to caregivers, child welfare professionals, policymakers, and community
members at the local, state, and national level. Past KYAB events include local panels for child welfare professionals,
congressional testimony in Washington, D.C., and participation in the Statewide Youth Advisory Board in Harrisburg, PA.
6. 6
Examples of TAGS sessions
Respect for Yourself and Your Community
Self-Esteem or Smoke Screen?
Communication 101: What’s your style?
Assertive, Aggressive, Passive, or Passive-
Aggressive
Communication 102: Win-Win, How to Get
What You Want
Coping With Grief and Loss
Checking In After A Tragic Event
What is Trauma?
Consent is FRIES: Freely Given, Reversible,
Informed, Enthusiastic, AND Specific
Hygiene: The Care and Keeping of Our Bodies
SOGIE 101: What is Sexual Orientation, Gender
Identity, and Gender Expression?
Music Analysis: Find the Message in the Song
Movie Night: Featuring stories about Kinship
Care
Start Strong- How to Ask for Help Before You
Fall Behind
Time-Management: How to Make the Best Time
for School, Friends, and Hobbies
Career Exploration (Different focuses)
Youth Choice*
Making and Keeping Friends
Dating Etiquette
Just a Preference or Sexual Prejudice?
Breaking Up (Friends and Partners)
Examples of IRL sessions
Resume Building: The Basics
Resume Building: Sharing the Best of You with
Potential Employers
Job Application Overview
Job Shadowing
Entrepreneur Development
Social Media Safety
Social Media Development
Intro to Blogging
Intro to Vlogging
Video Editing Techniques
Basic Programming
Marketing Tricks and Myths
References and Letters of Recommendation
Writing A Letter/Email
Teen Success Agreement
Culture and Cuisine of …*
Myers Briggs Personality Type
Exploring Your Leadership Style
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
Values, Choices, & Goals
Social Justice 101
Ways to Stand Up Your Beliefs
World Religions Overview
Zumba
Yoga
Nutrition and Diet
How to Test Your Fitness
Couch to 5k
Intro to Meditation
Musical, Play, Symphony, or other artistic
performance
Mother’s Day Cards for women in shelters
Thank You cards for Veterans
Neighborhood Clean Up
Spend Time with A Senior
Produce to People and Food Bank Sorting
Cooking Class 1: Food Safety
Cooking Class 2: Simple Meals
Cooking Class 3: Baking
Cooking Class 4: Mother Sauces (White,
Poultry/Fish, Beef, Tomato)
Cleaning Class: Basics
Cleaning Class: Laundry
Cleaning Class: DIY and multiuse products
(Vinegar, baking soda, lemon, etc.)
7. 7
Our girls dance
To celebrate becoming phenomenal women,
Confident in their values and their selves.
Lifting each other up in sisterhood,
Building bonds with their mentors
Our girls dance
Practicing self-care, introspection,
and tapping into their innate power
Our girls dance
In control of their identity, reputation, and safety.
They are the change they wish to see in the world
Our girls dance
Like glittering gems,
Captivating with their fire, clarity, and brilliance
At the ball and
beyond.
Our girls Dance
for Life
8. 8
A Dance for Life Workshop Descriptions
Parent and Participant Orientation/Dress Shopping
Parents and Ladies of A Dance for Life will learn about the program expectations and
activities. All participating ladies will understand they must attend each workshop to be
eligible for the grand cotillion on February 13th
. Parents will be responsible for making sure
their ladies arrive on time and cooperate with the A Dance for Life staff.
Self Defense and Social Networking
This week we will learn ways to protect our bodies and reputations. Special guest and
veteran, Phil Rayzer will lead a discussion on when self-defense techniques may have to be
used and show us a few techniques to practice. You are in control of your personal
information, thoughts, and pictures—let’s keep it that way. We will each get a chance to find
out our social media personalities.
SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression)
Let’s talk about SOGIE! Everyone has SOGIE. Have you ever thought about your SOGIE, and
how it affects the way people treat you? Bring your questions and get ready to bust
stereotypes and understand bias.
Values and Goal Setting
The choices we make reflect our values, and our choices determine whether we move closer
to or farther from our goals. This week we will examine our personal values, and how they
will help us to achieve our goals. Values are ideas and activities that are important to you.
Identifying your values helps you to understand yourself better, which makes it easier to
communicate with others.
Dress for Success
How we dress is one of the ways that we show our intent. Polished, professional dress
shows a polished, professional manner. We will learn important tips for dressing our best,
and each of us will pick out an outfit for the formal etiquette dinner.
GIRLTALK
Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force (PATF) is throwing a health education party for us! There will be
food, fun, and gift cards. A health educator from PATF will lead us through activities about
HIV/AIDS spread and treatment, dating violence, and information to help a friend.
Self-Esteem and Hygiene
How much are you worth? Bricks of gold, bags of diamonds, or are you priceless? Showcase
your self-esteem by creating a personal statement and mantra. We will share the ways that
we look, feel, and smell the best. Everyone will get a sample of DIY beauty products.
Etiquette
Today we will practice the art of cordial conversation, dainty meal habits, and putting our
best face forward. The techniques we use today will be useful for elegant and casual living.
Dance Practice
Learn to waltz with your dance partner in preparation for the cotillion.
9. 9
Homewood YMCA 15-18 Year Old Champions 2015
Rise High 7th
12-14 Year Old Champions 2015
Camp COPES is an annual six week summer basketball league hosted at A Second Chance, Inc. that features weekly
life skills training in addition to promoting core principles of honesty, dignity conviction, and respect.
10. 10
The program was designed and run by
Americorp KEYS members: Amanda Clark,
Antony Copsey, and Alexander Thomas. Some
field trips included the PGH Zoo, the National
Aviary, Mellon Splash Park, Carnegie Library
East Liberty, and the Cinema. Each day had a
unique theme with complementary activities
and 30 minutes dedicated to quiet reading.
ASCI READS 2016
A five week morning summer camp for
readers 7-12 years old.
