LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM Guiding Light’ Project There’s No Stopping Us Nowaims to bring hope, empowerment, and self-worth to at-risk young men and women, by delivering a variety of programs and services that provides guidance back to sociallyproductive and acceptable life, and to help stop the cycle of poverty and recidivism. Young men and women will get sober, learn productive ways of dealing with adversity, find jobs, move into permanent housing and reunify with children.By using a holistic approach we provide a full assessment of needs, addressing the immediate needs of each client and using our successful “We’re On The Move” training series to teach life skills.The primary focus is on realistic preparation for the pursuit of education, employment and housing.Interactive workshops and concrete examples will empower participants to broaden their outlook with regards to seeing themselves function with confidence and dignity in the outside world. There’s No Stopping Us Now instills a broader perspective of the world in which our young men and women live and a society in which they are able to function.This greater awareness will allow them to divergently view situations, approach obstacles, and solve problems.
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PROJECT BRIDGING THE GAP
EARLY PERMANENCY PLANNING The AIDS epidemic has claimed a large number of parents with young children. These parents are confronted with the need to plan for the care of their children before they are no longer able. Guiding light’s Early Permanency Planning Program entitled Project Bridging the Gap is designed to assist terminally-ill AIDS parents in arranging Standby Guardians for their children before the illness prevents their future involvement.
The designated guardian provides short-term care, as made necessary by the condition of the parents’ health. This method will prevent the children from entering the system of fostered care with strangers; thus, making it hard for the parent to regain immediate custody of their children, as their health may improve. Identifying Standby Guardians with the parents’ participation minimizes confusion and disorientation in the child, and supports the development of stabilizing a future home for the children. Parents want to care for their children for as long as they are physically able to do so, but should the time come when they are unable, it will give them comfort in knowing that they have made the right choice in putting a guardian in place.
