Young Adult Men's Program

SWP runs its core job-readiness programs three times a year for youth.  Each Young Adult "Career Ventures" Program is smaller than our Adult core program, serving about 20 motivated young-adult males 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 professional network.  The Young Adult Program takes place 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.