StreetWise Partners currently runs three types of programs: 

1. Adult Mentoring Program
2. Young Adult Mentoring Program
3. Alumni Program
    

SWP runs its core job-readiness programs twice a year  for adults.  Each adult cycle typically serves 40-55 participants.   Business professionals volunteer to mentor participants at weekly three-hour sessions conducted in donated corporate spaces.  The mentoring relationship, which grows beyond the program sessions, is critical to participants accountability and the expansion of their professional networks.  The Adult Program, with 45 hours of training sessions over 14 Saturdays is currently held at PricewaterhouseCoopers.  The participants and volunteer mentors commit to the entire 14-week cycle of weekend meetings, showing an extraordinary commitment of their free time.

The core training sessions, developed with help from volunteer HR professionals,  include computer skills instruction (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and  periodic skills assessments, as well as goal setting, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, developing an elevator pitch,  informational interviews, workplace etiquette, and public speaking.  Over the past year, we have strengthened our program with computer skills  assessment software; the opportunity for participants to purchase a refurbished  computer at a highly subsidized rate (through Per Scholas); video mock interviews with staff and mentor feedback; and a dynamic peer mentorship program.

At the end of each cycle, SWP requires all participants to complete an anonymous survey which tracks 57 data points across our cycles.   In our first evaluation of 2006: 

    
• 100% of participants stated that they would recommend SWP to others.
    
• 100% of participants felt that SWP helped them learn the skills they need to get a job.
    
• 100% said that the program increased each of the following:         
  overall confidence; job readiness; interpersonal skills; job-search network.    

SWP runs its core job-readiness programs twice a year for youth.  Each Young Adult "Career Ventures" Program is smaller than our Adult core program, serving about 25 motivated young adults each cycle.   Business professionals volunteer to mentor participants at weekly two-hour sessions conducted in donated corporate space.  The mentoring relationship, which grows beyond the program sessions,  is critical to participants' accountability and the expansion of their networks.  The Young Adult Program takes place at Credit Suisse over the course of 14 Wednesday evening sessions.  Participants and volunteer mentors commit to the entire 14-week cycle of evening meetings, showing an extraordinary commitment of their free time.

The core training sessions, developed with help from volunteer HR professionals,  include computer skills instruction (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and periodic skills assessments, as well as goal setting, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, developing an “elevator pitch, informational interviews, workplace etiquette, and public speaking.  Over the past year, we have strengthened our program with computer skills  assessment software; the opportunity for participants to purchase a refurbished  computer at a highly subsidized rate (through Per Scholas); video mock interviews with staff and mentor feedback; a peer mentorship program; and life skills workshops for the young adults.    

StreetWise Partners helps its graduates secure and retain employment through our network of over 100 businesses, and provides critical counseling during the first few months of work.  SWP also hosts networking events and advanced trainings every month for all alumni, rounding out an innovative program of core skills  training, with continued panels and resources to aid in finding a job, as well as job retention services.  Over the last year, SWP began providing formal monthly training sessions/workshops for all alumni.

We recently increased our alumni services to provide additional support for our graduates in their job search as well as develop and maintain relationships with potential employers.  This has enabled us to increase participants exposure to employers through career fairs, career treks, job shadow days, networking events, and informational interviews.