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James came to the Rochester Salvation Army’s Genesis House after being discharged from Job Corps (a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job). He was unable to stay with his father, who was on parole. James wanted to get back into the Job Corps program, but didn’t know what he needed to do to re-enroll.
Genesis House’s case management team helped him to understand what was required, but also explained that it may be weeks or months before he can return. James was unaware the extensive process so our staff assisted him in getting the necessary paperwork and collected letters of reference that would build a positive case for getting him back into the program.
Throughout the process, James and the case managers also worked on a backup plan, which included finding a place to live and looking for work, education, and treatment programs. At first, he resisted guidance from the case managers, and insisted on focusing only on getting back into Job Corps. As he realized that the process may take longer than he expected, he worked with the case managers to investigate options for housing.
The case managers learned about the Center for Youth’s New Beginning School, which is an alternative school for young men, ages 16-21, who have faced challenges in a traditional school setting. The case management team worked with Center for Youth and secured James an interview. The case manager brought him to his interview and advocated for him. Because the New Beginnings program requires youth to work, go to school, or attend necessary treatment, staff began a discussion with him about his mental health and substance abuse issues. The team learned that James was accepted into New Beginnings, but he was hesitant about entering into any type of treatment. After a few days, he agreed that he could benefit from mental health and substance abuse treatment, and agreed to attend as a prerequisite for moving into New Beginnings.
James was able to move out of Genesis House and plans to stay at New Beginnings while attending mental health and substance abuse treatment until he can return to Job Corps. Programs like Genesis House are often the first step in a long process for clients like James to get their lives on track after a setback. Our extensive relationships with other organizations in the communities we serve in help us to carve a path of hope and recovery for our clients.
Tags: Faces of The Army