- UFC Pathways Program Alumni
- 86%of active Pathways Alumni are in stable housing
- 68%of active Pathways Alumni are employed
- General Population of Foster Youth
- 36% of foster youth are homeless within 18 months of leaving care
- 51% of foster youth are unemployed within 3 years of leaving care
Pathways Transitional Living Program
In 2010-2011, UFC continued to implement the Pathways Expansion Project focusing on increasing the number of beds in the program, formalizing life skills programming, and enhancing the clinical capacity of the advocacy counseling staff. As a result of UFC’s increased commitment to providing mental health services to current residents and alumni, the amount of youth seeking services and the number of hours of mental health services accessed has increased significantly.
> Over 360 foster youth received housing, referral, alumni and other services through the Pathways Program.
2010-2011 Pathways Program Highlights
Empowerment Retreat
The three-day retreat is held annually to help Pathways residents gain a greater sense of self-awareness through group reflection and motivational activities. Held at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center in 2010, forty Pathways residents enjoyed interacting with each other and time away from the hustle and bustle of L.A.
> 1,200 hours of mental health services were provided to Pathways residents and alumni
Pathways Expansion Continues
Two new projects will bring Pathways to a total of seven sites across Southern California, serving over 115 youth per year. Construction began in early 2010 on our fourth Pathways housing site in Whittier, which will provide housing and supportive services for an additional ten youth this year. Renovations of the Long Beach Palace Hotel began to wrap up at the end of 2011, and will provide housing for another fifteen Pathways Program youth in early 2012.
> Nearly 90 youth received housing and supportive services through the Pathways Program.
Alumni Committee Formed
The Pathways Alumni Committee consists of program alumni interested in giving back and providing first-hand knowledge and support to current Pathways residents. They meet quarterly and help plan events, volunteer and, most importantly, they help advise UFC on how to more effectively reach out and serve former Pathways Program participants. Our alumni program is an important and unique continuation of our relationships with youth who may experience difficulties in the years after they leave transitional housing and can benefit from varying forms of financial and personal support.
> UFC remained in contact with 77% of all Pathways alumni.
9th Annual Pathways Christmas Eve Celebration and Alumni Reunion
The holidays can often be a lonely time for foster youth and this annual gathering is a wonderful example of the long standing relationship UFC forms with its youth. Due to the incredible turnout of current residents, alumni, board members and volunteers, the celebration was moved to a significantly larger space at the Conga Room in downtown Los Angeles. The young men and women in Pathways always know they have a place to call home and a family to come back to, not only during the holidays but throughout the year.
> Nearly 250 Pathways alumni attended alumni events and received services and support including mental health counseling, career and educational guidance, emergency funding, and personal support.
Career Development Training
Pathways residents struggling to find employment benefitted from six weeks of training to assist them in developing and building professional skills to help them become more competitive job candidates and function in a variety of work environments. A critical component of the training was the involvement of community partners as guest speakers. These key partnerships with local businesses help our youth not only secure employment, but gain access to positions that offer higher wages and opportunities for professional growth through employment and training programs.
