Raisinghope Inc

Transportation - we take requests for car purchases, repairs, assistance with accidents or emergencies, and insurance. In preparation for a purchase, we determine how much money the youth has saved and if they have the income to support gas, insurance and minor repairs for the car purchased. We assist them with locating and purchasing the car, adding to the funds that they have saved so that they can purchase reliable, basic transportation to school and work. We assist with dmv paperwork and insurance and provide assistance with repairs and maintenance. 79 youth were assisted with transportation.

Ilp - independent living skills classes are geared towards older teens and young adults. The classes cover how to open and maintain bank accounts, credit cards and loans, budgeting and saving, renting an apartment, relationship skills, college services, grocery shopping and meal preparation. We include visits to college campuses including pepperdine, ucsb, moorpark, and oxnard colleges. 98 youth attended our classes.

Mentoring & life coaching - we match youth with a trained adult mentor that meets with the youth regularly to advise, support and encourage them through life. The resulting relationships often become the core support system in the youth's life. Our program was modified to include a coaching skill aspect for our mentors. Financial support - requests for immediate or emergency needs for those not covered by other programs are fulfilled through financial support. The requests include assistance with rent, utilities, food, clothing, car repairs or insurance, special training or school supplies. We received 271 requests from youth for financial services. Approximately 90% of these requests were granted. College tours - we took about 30 youth on overnight travel tours of colleges. One trip was up north to visit ucdavis and sonoma state university; one trip was to san diego to see ucsd and tour an active air craft carrier. Youth learned so much about college and even experienced bowling at the student center and tourist spots along the way. Holidays of hope is an open house event with family-centered activities, food and beverages. Youth are given a personal gift of their choice. Over 200 youth received gifts.