Youth Professional Development's management and program team have successfully provided meaningful and effective services for youth in Prince George's County. Our commitment of EMPOWERING ADOLESCENTS is well known and respected among the adolescent population and service providers.
Pre-employment Training Workshops
Youth Professional Development sponsors an Annual Pre-Employment Workshop for teen parents. Through the Pre-Employment Workshop, students are provided with educational training, Students participate interactively in role-playing and group discussions covering topics such as work ethics, dress codes for the office, sexual harrassment, and conflict resolution. In addition, students are afforded the opportunity to interview with prospective employers and to benefit fropm a panel discussion of professionals.
Summer Job Placement
Youth Professional Development sponsors the Job Development and Work Experience Project. The project is a collaboration between YPD and the Prince George's County School's Adolescent Single Parent Program. It is designed to provide career preparation, technical training and summer work experience for students. Through the Job Development and Work Experience Project (JDWEP), students have an opportunity to learn while they earn. Asolescents gain valuable work experience while contributing successfully to the working community. JDWEP builds self-esteem and self-confidence, job readiness skills and develops work ethics within our youth.
Work Study Program
Youth Professional Development selects three to five students annually to participate in the Continuing Vocational Education (CVE) Program. Selected students will have met the required number of credits for graduations and qualify for a half-day schedule. YPD's Career Counselor will facilitate the hiring and monitoring of the seniors in part-time employment during the school year. Under this project students will experience a combination of on-the-job-training and career development along with their regular classroom instruction.
The theme of the Life Skills Retreat is Your Journey! Your Choice! Your Steps!
Through the Life Skills Retreat, at risk teen parents between the ages of 15-19 are provided a safe forum to express and examine the challenges that have created barriers to successful and healthier lifestyles while developing strategies for overcoming those barriers. Teens will be provided with a journal to plan their future goals. The goal of the retreat is to increase the participant's knowledge and their level of awareness by offering education and interactive learning from community educators.
Youth Professional Development sponsors a Mentoring Program. The Mentoring Program is designed to assist with the transition of our teen parents from school to career. The key components of the mentoring program are education and personal and positive parenting goals. Each participant is matched with a mentor. Mentors are supplied with the resources and training necessary to ensure a successful mentoring process. The participant is contacted once a week via phone or a home visit. In addition, Youth Professional Development offers community based peer support sessions monthly for a year that cover various topics such as Stress Relief, Child Proofing the Home, Prevention (pregnancy, tobacco, drug and alcohol), Time Management etc.
Youth Professional Development sponsors an annual college tour. YPD provides information on community colleges and local and out-of-state universities. Colleges and universities that we visit offer The Women with Children Program. The Women with Children Program is a unique program. This program allows mothers to attend and reside on the college campus with their children (including newborns).
Students tour the campus and speak with college representatives. The students have an opportunity to receive information on the admission and application processes, financial aid and scholarship and grant information.
Expecting teen mothers are invited to an annual Baby Shower that is sponsored by a faith based organization. Young parents recieve pampers adn beautiful baby items. Everyone will enjoy a day of fun and food for the whole family. The shower is usually held in the spring or summer. Interested persons must contact us by email.
Youth Professional Development sponsors an Annual Holiday Party for over 100 needy teen parents and their children. Through the Holiday Party, young families are provided lunch, entertainment, and gifts to make their holiday brighter. At the Holiday Party, each family receives gifts (including books, layettes for newborn babies, etc.) which minimizes the burden on teen parents. The Holiday Party is always an opportunity to make the holiday a special time for our participants and their families.