Making A Difference By Transforming the Lives of Disadvantaged Women https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/proposals-2012/making-a-difference-by-transforming-the-lives-of-disadvantaged-women https://grants.dudleytdoughertyfoundation.org/@@site-logo/sitelogo-75x75.png

Making A Difference By Transforming the Lives of Disadvantaged Women

Additional Information
Used for	Funding will be used to support "IMPACTS" program which stands for: Individual Progress Plans & Case Management; Mental Health Initiatives; Personal Safety & Parenting; Academic Guidance; Chemical Dependency/Substance Abuse Counseling; Technology & Job Readiness Training; and Self-Sufficiency & Life Skills Building. Your investment will support educational skill building programs (life skills, job readiness, computer skills, etc.), substance abuse counseling/education and crisis intervention aimed at educating and empowering individuals to promote positive change in their lives. Funding will also assist in ensuring clients mental and physical health needs are addressed and met.
Benefits	Statistics reveal if foster alumni do not receive mentoring and post-care guidance, they will exit state care and enter communities as a risk and financial burden to society by means of: unemployment, homelessness, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, criminal behavior, re-victimization, dependence on government funds/programs, etc. By educating and empowering at-risk young women to make healthier choices and learn to live self-sufficiently, we are breaking the cycles of generational abuse and poverty. By supporting our programs services, your money will help former victims of child abuse triumph over their past and build critical skills as they grow toward independence and learn to be responsible individuals.
Proposal Description	Lexi’s Place is a 24-hour staffed transitional home that serves one of the most vulnerable and at-risk populations: disadvantaged young women (ages 18-24) aging out of the Texas child welfare system that have endured physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, including persons with disabilities. We accept statewide referrals. Clients served did not enter “the system” by their own fault; but rather, by the acts and/or negligence of their parents/caretakers. With little, if any guidance, they are emancipated and released from state care at age 18 to fend for themselves. Many have spent their childhood in protective care. Multiple placement histories contributed to their emotional instability and academic inadequacies. Coupled with abusive backgrounds and chaotic childhoods, the vast majority of these youth exit care emotionally unstable, educationally disadvantaged, socially unprepared, and financially impoverished. All (100%) of our residents were child victims of physical, sexual, mental abuse and/or neglect. Our purpose is to provide safe shelter, essential needs and support services that teach young women to become self-sufficient and to break the generational, social, and economic impact that grown victims of child abuse often face. It is critical that these young people receive safe and affordable housing, support services and educational guidance as they enter our communities. Lexi’s Place is a learning environment. Kitchen and laundry areas fulfill basic needs and are utilized for educational programs (meal planning, nutrition, cooking, cleaning, etc.). Residents have access to computers, printers and other business equipment. We provide technology and job readiness assistance including: resume writing, interview skills, dress for success, etc. Through one-to-one mentoring contacts, on-site educational programs and counseling services, we work to alleviate many of the devastating effects of child abuse/neglect, helping to break a cycle of abuse that is all too prevalent in Texas. And, having on-site counselors has proven invaluable, as they provide immediate intervention and resolution of questions and/or situations when they arise, versus having to schedule appointments with outside sources. As noted, grant funding will be used to support our "IMPACTS" program services. We specifically request that funding be expended for program Support Staff salaries/benefits. Lexi's Place is a 24-hour staffed facility that employs (2) full-time, (2) part-time, and (1) on-call Support Staff to cover evening, night, and weekend shifts. 100% of their time is spent providing direct services to clients served. Our total annual payroll budget is $202,982, which includes our CEO/President, Clinical Director and Program Director/Grant Writer.