At the California Jobs ChalleNGe (CAJC) Program in Los Alamitos, Elevate Youth worked on the CAJC collaborative team to facilitate 6 sessions on substance abuse prevention, building identity/intersectionality, diversity, equity, and inclusion, sexual health, suicide prevention awareness, and mental health for over 60 young men ages 17-20 who are in residence at CAJC. “CAJC Saturdays” was a true partnership between Elevate Youth, CAP OC Workforce Development, and APAIT, to bring interactive content that generated anticipation and excitement session after session. Participants got involved through activities, icebreakers, education material, CAJC has talent (a talent show) and arts-based activities that culminated the sessions on September 25th. For some youth, their patience and willingness to the continue in the program was tested beyond measure, so it was important for our team to build trust throughout our time with them. Youth were encouraged by the Saturday sessions, the fun icebreakers, and the opportunity they were given to express their creativity through art, messages, and music. This was an amazing experience not only for the youth, but for our staff who leaned in, gained additional skills, and modeled youth engagement at its core. We look forward to hearing the success stories of the youth who will embark on fulfilling careers after they graduate.
