History of the YWCA
Since its founding in 1878, the YWCA of San Francisco has been a vocal advocate for women, girls and their families. Today, the YWCA of San Francisco & Marin continues that tradition through its commitment to the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Strengthened by diversity, the association draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people.
The YWCA of San Francisco & Marin is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive neighborhoodbased services for girls and women who suffer from poverty, depression, violence and a lack of education or training. YWCA programs offer participants an opportunity to develop confidence, improve self-esteem and learn new skills so that they can succeed in the present and become the leaders of tomorrow. This is accomplished through innovative mentorship, educational, vocational and multi-cultural enrichment programs tailored to individual needs.
The YWCA of San Francisco & Marin has a strong management team with more than 30 years of non-profit experience. It is led by Ann Kennedy, Executive Director and is supported by a robust
Board of Directors that brings knowledge, prudent counsel and resources to the association. The
President of the board for 2006 – 2008 is Gloria Lau, former President and CEO of Charles Schwab
Marine which helped start-up businesses with financial, staffing, administrative and technological needs.
Needs Being Addressed
Many Marin youth live in poverty in a very affluent county. They face daunting obstacles such as high cost of living, negative peer pressure and family histories of drug or alcohol abuse. Some of these youth are disadvantaged by emotional and behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and discrimination including racism, ageism, sexism and homophobia. All of these conditions can contribute to academic failure, social alienation and self-destructive behaviors during a critical developmental period.
Marin County has several in-school and community based programs that serve youth. However, without personalized support many at-risk youth do not access educational and social services.
After 17 years of experience, the YWCA still finds that many at-risk youth have not heard about programs and resources that would benefit them; have heard of them but think that the programs are for “other kinds of kids” or have heard of programs and are interested but embarrassed or unsure how to access the services.
Even with increased outreach to youth in alternative schools by service providers including School to Career and Marin Education Fund, these youth are still largely unaware that these services are available to them. With our support, and in some instances accompaniment, YouthWorks participants become more comfortable in availing themselves of community resources.
Program Description
YouthWorks promotes the healthy development of disadvantaged Marin County youth by delivering culturally appropriate employment and educational support, female-specific leadership development groups and an on-site girls’ internship project, which are dedicated to youth empowerment. YouthWorks is unique in that it provides a comprehensive, year-round program that works holistically with at-risk youth. Critical to the program’s success are the intensive oneon-one relationships and personalized program components which allow flexibility to match participants’ needs and priorities. While no single program can solve all the problems of disadvantaged youth, YouthWorks participants learn to develop their own abilities and access community resources to achieve life long goals.
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Employment and Educational Support Services begins with an intake interview to identify participant interests, strengths and needs. With staff assistance, youth develop a personalized
Action Plan with realistic goals, objectives, and benchmarks for completion. Participants learn job readiness, job search techniques and job retention strategies. While job placement assistance is usually the initial goal at intake, participants also receive independent living skills training and support in overcoming obstacles. By understanding the personal situations of participants, staff is able to work with the youth to generate solutions to problems. Participants also explore options after high school including post-secondary education and vocational training opportunities after they succeed in securing a job. Participants receive counseling and ongoing case management to build trust and prevent crises from interfering with their pursuits. Youth are guided, and accompanied if needed, to supportive services such as tutoring, mental health counseling, health care, financial aid, job-appropriate clothing, and transportation. Our Employment and Educational
Support Services are requested by career counselors at the various high schools to assist youth before and after completing internships with School To Career.
Female-specific Leadership Development Groups is a new component of YouthWorks. The groups will meet weekly for an hour and a half during the academic year including a summer program and focus on young women, aged 11 to 18, in Marin County. The group addresses the following 6 areas: Womanhood & Personal Development, Cultural Awareness, College & Career Exploration,
Health Education, Community Involvement, and Outdoor Activities. The groups’ participants decide on the activities, group outings, discussion topics and projects to focus during the year. Because of the long term involvement in the group, the young women are able to practice the leadership skills they learn in a safe and supporting setting. When they return at the beginning of the academic year, they agree to take on leadership roles and assist in the planning process. These young women help co-facilitate workshops as well as provide assistance and guidance to younger participants. The Girls
Leadership Project will hold groups at different community sites, including the Marin Youth Center.
Girls Internship Project provides an opportunity for the girls who participate in the leadership groups to apply and be selected to receive on the job training, expand their leadership and advocacy skills, co-facilitate groups as well as to develop and implement youth led community projects.
These internships are offered throughout the year and offered a $10 per hour stipend. Young woman are paid as we understand and value their time and skills. We also want to support them in becoming economically independent. Approximate cost per year for this project is $5,000.
Organization’s Qualifications
The YWCA Marin Center has successfully operated youth employment programs for over
17 years. The need for individualized employment-focused services for at-risk Marin youth is still pressing. High school career counselors and other youth service providers interviewed for the YWCA Marin Center’s Organization Assessment reported that
YouthWorks program strengths include: Giving individual attention to students who need extra help; Willingness to get into all aspects of students’ situation and help the whole person move forward; Quick responsiveness to youth; Staff and volunteers who are skilled and comfortable working with diversity;” You give voice to underserved girls.”
Foundation Goals Addressed
YouthWorks addresses the Marin Community Foundation’s Education and Training program goal of contributing to the development and advancement of quality educational and training opportunities. YouthWorks also promotes the Human Needs program goal promoting the health and well-being of all members of the community, and to improve the lives of those who live with physical, mental, and social problems as well as the Community Development program goal to enhance the economic and social well-being or low income residents and their communities.
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1.
Accomplishments and Outcomes of the Project
Approximately 100 high-risk youth will receive Employment and Educational Support Services.
Participants will have an opportunity to increase their leadership, decision making and goal setting skills; to become more resilient in overcoming obstacles; to improve their ability to follow through on tasks and commitments; to learn the benefits of engaging in clear and direct communication; and to gain problem solving skills such as planning, generating alternatives, and critical thinking. Teens will begin to gain a sense of purpose for their futures and enhance their abilities to make effective choices in their lives. They will experience the value of adult guidance and the importance of lifelong learning. As they build on their small successes and learn that progress is a step-by-step process, their motivation, self-esteem and independence will increase.
Through our Girls Leadership Project, 30-40 girls will experience an increase in leadership skills and feelings of self-worth. Participants will build self-sufficiency while learning critical thinking, self-care, personal and community responsibility. Young women will graduate from the Girls
Leadership Development Groups with increased ability to gain employment, become active in their communities and the support to move forward as productive and active community members.
Graduates from the Girls Leadership Development Groups will have the opportunity to apply to become youth interns and be trained around issues that are important to youth, women and their communities. These participants will be involved in program planning and identifying issues of interest for the project. The Girls Internship Project will encourage personal responsibility and growth and at the same time create the space for the young women to think critically, practice their leadership skills, and become advocates in their communities. Program participants become more than just personal success stories, they become change makers, agents for social justice with skills and real opportunities to get involved and create a more just world for everyone.
2. Measurable Outcomes and Specific Activities
Measurable outcomes for approximately 100 at-risk Employment and Educational Support Services participants include:

100% of participants will learn methods to establish and implement employment & career goals

90% of participants
1.
will improve their job search skills
2.
will stay in school or obtain a high school diploma or equivalent
3.
will meet short term goals outlined in their Action Plans

50% of participants will secure employment

30% will retain employment for a minimum of 90 days

35% of participants will identify and explore careers of interest

20% of participants will enroll in college or vocational training program
Measurable outcomes for 30-40 girls participating in the Girls Leadership Development Groups

100% of participants will develop an increased skill set

100% of participants will learn methods for better self-care and decision making

90% of participants will express higher feelings of self-worth

75% of participants will increase community involvement activities including: commissions, youth councils, joining other non-profits, school councils, etc.
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Measurable outcomes for 2-4 girls participating in the Girls Internship Project

100% of participants will develop an increased leadership skill set

100% of participants will learn employer expectations

100% of participants will design and implement a youth led community project
3. Evaluation Indicators and Result Assesment
The YWCA evaluates the YouthWorks program on an ongoing basis. Program reports are prepared by the Center Director at six-month intervals and reviewed by the YWCA Executive Director and the Board of Directors. The YWCA modifies specific program components as needed to fine-tune the effectiveness of the program and ensure cultural relevance.
Progress toward meeting the objectives outlined will be monitored by tabulating questionnaires and logging anecdotal observations and feedback from participants, family members, mentors, employers, and school personnel. Current evaluation methods include:

Participant pre- and post-tests

Progress in goal achievement as detailed in individual Action Plans

Feedback from family, employers, school staff, and vocational training instructors

Documented case notes including staff observations
 Program evaluations completed by participants
4.
Population Description
Based on previous enrollment and current program plans, participants served in FY 2006-07 are expected to include approximately 100 at-risk youth ages 11-21 that are:

70% female; 30% male

85% very low income or low income
 25% disabled (including learning disabilities)

50% enrolled in Alternative School or Independent Study Program;
30% enrolled in mainstream Middle & High School; 20% out of school
 35% limited English proficiency
ETHNICITY

36% Latino/a

34% Caucasian

18% African American

10% Asian/Pacific Islander
 2% Other
GEOGRAPHIC AREA

50% Novato

30% Central San Rafael

20% other Marin County
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