Fatu’s Story

At 19, Fatu’s future looks bright. She plans to go to Monroe College in the fall to follow her dream of becoming a lawyer. She’s currently going to school and working full-time as a paralegal at Queens Defenders, which provides free services to low-income people. Not long ago, she was a recipient of those services.

You see, the future did not always look so bright for Fatu. When she came to live in one of SCO’s residences for youth in foster care in 2018, she had had a difficult childhood, and she’d been in trouble with the law.

When Fatu was 12, her mother returned to their native Liberia with her younger brother, leaving Fatu with an abusive family friend in Queens. She eventually ran away, joined a gang and got into trouble.

When she first came to SCO, Fatu was confrontational with staff and other residents. But despite her rocky start at her new home, SCO staff has been behind her since day one. They encouraged her to further her education and pursue her GED. They showed her the right way to do things, and most of all, they showed her they cared.

Fatu’s former Queens Defenders lawyer, Anthony Martone, played a pivotal role in her turnaround. He saw her potential and went the extra mile to help her by initiating an internship program at the firm for past clients who’ve been through the juvenile justice system. Fatu was the first intern and became the first full-time hire from the program.

Fatu is positive, respectful, and focused. She loves her job and it has inspired her to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

Her turnaround has been nothing short of miraculous, and it serves as an inspiration to other youth. Fatu is living proof of what is possible with a positive attitude, hard work, perseverance, and the help of caring adults who never stop believing in you.

See Fatu’s story in THE CITY.

(Photo: Ben Fractenberg-THE CITY)

Selena’s Story

Selena first came to SCO’s Scattered Site Supportive Housing Program, in August 2017. This program provides housing and transitional services for young adults who have been in foster care and are at-risk of homelessness. Selena, who had been in foster care since age 9, was dealing with a lot of family and personal issues. She was feeling frustrated and depressed. The tipping point came when her biological father passed away.

As a way to help cope with her loss, Selena decided to write a book about her experience. She hoped sharing her experience might inspire others…turning her personal tragedy into something positive. Ever resourceful, Selena wrote her entire book on her cell phone and uploaded it onto Amazon where it is currently sold as a Kindle format e-book.

Selena’s entrepreneurial spirit had been unleashed. Following her book, Selena developed her own podcast where she talks about life issues and how she has dealt with them in the hopes of motivating others. Since establishing her podcast last year, she has attracted over 20,000 followers worldwide.

She didn’t stop there. Selena then decided that she wanted to sell merchandise with inspirational messages. She started her own online t-shirt company – printing, packaging and shipping orders out of her apartment.

Selena has found her calling. She has found healing through sharing her story and inspiring others and she has experienced personal growth in the process.

SCO staff are encouraging her to utilize her abilities and resilience to pursue her education. In doing so, Selena will be able to use her knowledge to promote and expand her budding enterprises and find other employment opportunities to help her as she transitions to independent living.

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Young Adult Workforce Program

The Young Adult Workforce Program provides multiple pathways to success for young adults currently and/or previously in NYC DOC custody. The program aims to reduce recidivism by increasing the employability of the population served. The program offers a range of services prior to the young adult’s release from Rikers Island, including Empowerment Workshop and individualized support services, and a variety of post-release services geared towards supporting reentry.

Our Workforce Development Workshop Series is available to current or former justice-involved participants aged 18 and above. Courses offered cover a wide array of topics including Financial Literacy, Learner’s Permit Examination Preparation & Driver’s Education, Job Readiness & Career Planning, Housing Support & Home Management and more.

Workforce Support Specialists help participants obtain vital documents, research employment opportunities and housing availability, and find other supportive services. Participants may have the opportunity to participate in a paid internship with the Workforce Development Team at SCO.

Quarterly events give clients the opportunity to interact with people from different professions, employment agencies and community resources. Achievement ceremonies celebrate participant milestones and accomplishments.

Our goal is to help our clients find their path forward and set goals to reduce the rate of recidivism, and to provide positive reinforcement and ongoing support.

Who Can Benefit from this Program

Young adults who are on or have been released from Rikers Island

Age Criteria or Other Eligibility Requirements

Age 18-21

How to Access this Program or Service

Referred by NYC Department of Correction

 

Related News

SCO’s Young Adult Workforce Program Introduces Empowerment Workshops

January 22, 2021

SCO’s Young Adult Workforce Program Honored

July 24, 2019

Fatu’s Story

Changing her trajectory - anything is possible when others believe in you

Read Fatu’s Story

Selena’s Story

Harnessing entrepreneurial spirit to pursue long-term goals with help from SCO

Read Selena’s Story

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