ASPIRA
ABRIENDO CAMINOS(Opening Pathways)
Contact: Alfredo Calderon (215) 455-1300
Abriendo Caminos serves out of school youth between 16 and 18 years of age by providing academic support in the attainment of basic skills and work readiness. Students will receive 120 hours of job-readiness skills; 120 hours of work based employment opportunity, 60 hours of career-related internships and 36 hours of career and leadership development support. The students will be prepared to enter the job market and/or post secondary education with the knowledge of what is expected of them a plan to assist with retention. This program is conducted in conjunction with Kensington High School and the Kensington Twilight School.

GREATER PHILA. URBAN AFFAIRS COALITION
WorkStream
Contact: Jill Welsh Davis (215) 851-1766
WorkStream is a year round program serving out-of-school youth with disabilities and who have dropped out of school, between the ages of 17 and 21 years of age, living throughout the City of Philadelphia. At the time students are enrolled, a variety of assessment tools will be utilized to determine each participant’s needs. Based on assessment, each student will work with staff to develop an Individual Learning Plan that will include academic, vocational, personal goals, and activities needed to achieve goals, and timelines. Throughout their participation, all students will receive case management and other supportive services to help them resolve barriers to attendance and enable them to achieve their goals.

INDOCHINESE AMERICAN COUNCIL
BEST (Basic Education and Skills Training for Youth)
Contact: Le-Quyen Vu (215) 457-0272
The Basic Education and Skills Training for Youth (BEST) provides educational and employment services to students between the ages of 16 through 21. The targeted students are from Olney and Martin Luther King High Schools in addition to court referrals. The program provides alternative basic education instruction and specific training for employable vocational skills. BEST’s major objectives are to: enable students to connect educational skills with actual work; prepare for their graduation service requirements; and to prouide educational support in the areas of career development, parenting and general life skills.


OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTERS
Quantum Opportunity Program (QOP)
Contact: Debbie Scott (215) 236-4500
OIC of America in conjunction with the Philadelphia OIC and Benjamin Franklin High School propose to operated a modified version of QOP, titled ‘QOP-Lite” for by providing education, service and developmental activities, as well as financial incentives. Students will be exposed to an array of educational tools and technologies, designed to improve basic and remedial skills and to increase understanding and likelihood of completing their high school degree or GED. They will be provided with information to encourage college or advanced skills in training programs.

UNIVERSAL Center for EMPLOYMENT TRAINING
Universal Center for Employment Training (UCET)
Contact: Lovell Harmon (215) 546-1880
UCET is a subsidiary of Universal Community Homes, a not-for-profit Community Development Corporation. UCET seeks to promote the human development and education of people by providing them with marketable skills training and supportive services that contribute to economic self-sufficiency. The program is comprehensive, individualized and generally adaptable to each person’s needs. The goal is not merely to produce a skilled worker but it is to develop an individual who is punctual, efficient, cooperative and ready to acquire additional skills. Participants choose a skill training area, participate in a training course on the skill area of their choice are assisted in job placement and retention following the completion of their program.

YOUTHBUILD CHARTER SCHOOL
Youthbuild
Contact: Sue Ellison (215) 627-8671
This program will target youth who need more intensive and comprehensive engagement strategies in order to be successful in YouthBuild. Fifty youth will be served through this enhanced model.