Peer Support
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Peer support for justice-involved youth and young adults offers a transformative, relationship-based approach to healing and reintegration. Grounded in lived experience, peer support creates a safe, nonjudgmental space where participants can connect with mentors who understand the challenges of navigating the justice system. Through shared storytelling, emotional validation, and practical guidance, peer specialists help youth build trust, develop coping strategies, and set personal goals. This model fosters resilience, accountability, and hope—empowering individuals to reclaim their narratives and pursue meaningful change. In community settings, peer support also bridges gaps between systems, linking participants to resources in education, employment, housing, and behavioral health.
GED Prep
The GED Prep component of Pathway to Purpose provides justice-involved youth and young adults with a supportive, structured pathway to academic achievement and personal growth. Delivered with study tools like Quizlette , the program offers individualized tutoring, test-taking strategies, and trauma-informed learning environments that honor each participant’s pace and strengths. GED Prep sessions are designed to build confidence, reinforce foundational skills in math, reading, writing, science, and social studies, and connect learners to broader educational and career goals. By integrating academic support with mentorship and life skills training, Pathway to Purpose ensures that participants not only prepare for the GED exam but also gain the tools to pursue higher education, vocational training, and long-term employment.
Career Aptitude Testing
Career aptitude testing is a key component of Pathway to Purpose, helping justice-involved youth and young adults identify their strengths, interests, and potential career paths. Through validated assessments and guided interpretation, participants gain insight into their natural talents, preferred work styles, and areas of opportunity. These results are used to spark meaningful conversations with peer support specialists and career mentors, who help translate test findings into actionable goals. Whether a student excels in hands-on trades, creative fields, or service-oriented roles, the testing process builds self-awareness and confidence. Combined with life skills training and exposure to local workforce options, career aptitude testing empowers participants to make informed decisions about education, training, and long-term employment.
Job readiness training within the Pathway to Purpose program equips justice-involved youth and young adults with essential tools to confidently enter the workforce. Participants engage in hands-on workshops covering resume writing, cover letter development, and mock interviewing—each tailored to reflect their unique experiences, strengths, and career aspirations. Resume sessions focus on translating life skills and informal work into professional language, while cover letter writing emphasizes personal storytelling and goal alignment. Mock interviews provide a safe space to practice communication, professionalism, and self-presentation, with constructive feedback from peer mentors and career coaches. This holistic approach builds confidence, sharpens employability, and prepares participants to pursue meaningful job opportunities with clarity and purpose.
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