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The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to give thanks and to reflect upon our impact over the past year. Here are just a few of the ways in which we made strides in our mission to build pathways to economic equity, opportunity and independence in 2017:<\/p>\n
Human Services<\/strong> Workforce Development<\/strong> Youth & Family Services<\/strong>
\nFrom expanding our pre-employment transition services for youth with disabilities to adding family training and in-home support services to our Autism programming, Humanim\u2019s Human Services division has grown its programming for individuals with special needs and behavioral health challenges. In 2017, Humanim\u2019s youth behavioral health program Healthy Transitions was honored by the Community Foundation of Howard County with the Casey and Pebble Willis Making a Difference award – for its positive impact and crucial work in addressing mental health issues in Howard County. To date, 82 youth struggling with serious mental health challenges\u00a0have successfully transitioned into adulthood through this program.<\/p>\n
\nOur Workforce Development division partnered with several government agencies, colleges and non-profits this year to offer free career training and job placement assistance in the following fields: medical technician, warehouse inventory, administrative, and culinary. We placed 447 individuals in jobs with our anchor and community partners, including transitional youth and individuals with disabilities. As part of our 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0year participating as a VITA tax preparation site, Humanim was recognized as the 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0leading partner tax site, preparing over 760 tax returns for low-income community members.<\/p>\n
\nHumanim\u2019s youth outreach and engagement program Elev8 Baltimore built upon its community schools approach this year by partnering with several organizations to combat food insecurity, healthcare access, and financial barriers. Those partnerships included one with Hungry Harvest to bring the Produce in a SNAP program to Collington Square Elementary\/Middle School, providing families access to affordable and healthy produce, as well as one with Vision to Learn and Warby Parker, providing free eye exams to students. Elev8 Baltimore\u00a0also partnered with our own Workforce Development division, to expand our Match Savings program to parents of Elev8 youth, which helps families build savings through financial education, incentives, and up to a $500 match in savings.<\/p>\n