Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), Youth Futures Initiative (YFI)

The Youth Futures Initiative (YFI) is a new wrap-around case management and youth advocacy program of the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP). This program focuses on longer-term education and job prospects and helps youth currently or formerly involved with the juvenile justice system transition into adulthood. The program involves intensive case management and mentoring services, and matches youth participants with an adult Youth Advocate. These Youth Advocates help develop individualized service plans on seven components, one of which is education. They work with students both on "in-school" and "out-of-school" tracks. Additionally, youth in this program participate in field trips and mentorship activities that focus on career readiness and exploration.