Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:52:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2019 5:20:38 GMT
We met a young man today (age 21).
He was removed from his home as a young child but not before being injured by his parents, so one hand has permanent restrictions. He was adopted but that mom died when he was in 4th grade. Apparently, dad just shut down after that and the kids sort of fended for themselves. He has no education higher than 4th grade. He’s fended for himself for basically the last decade. From my interaction with him, he is fully mentally present, just uneducated.
He now lives with his adult sister and is trying to make a go at life. I understand that his siblings struggle too.
He's trying to find full-time work but his options are limited because he can't do heavy manual stuff (which requires less formal education) due to his injury and his education level limits a lot of other possibilities. Right now he's bagging groceries part time. My DH is connecting him to other business owners to try to help with that. But he needs mentoring, coaching on how to interview, education, and coaching on how to do life in general. My DH and other guys from church are going to do what they can but he needs professional help too, to access services.
Are there any organizations that offer any of these kind of things? Or companies that have good entry programs or job training? I'm not exactly sure where to start. He's no longer "in the system" due to his age, but how he got this far without some intervention is beyond me. I suppose he can get on need-based food assistance and health insurance (though he did not mention those among the things he needs).
It flabbergasts me that the systems and people could have failed this young man so many different times and ways. Thanks for any ideas.
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Post by AngieJoy on Jun 24, 2019 5:25:42 GMT
I wonder if the jobs program through goodwill could help him?
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939 
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Jun 24, 2019 5:28:37 GMT
Here in Los Angeles our community colleges generally have a number of programs both academic and vocational. You might check at your local community college.
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,815
Location: So. Calif.
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Post by garcia5050 on Jun 24, 2019 5:32:26 GMT
Is he interested in getting his high school diploma? Through the local adult school? If not, I believe adult schools offer certificate programs. My next idea would be temp agencies.
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,815
Location: So. Calif.
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Post by garcia5050 on Jun 24, 2019 5:33:21 GMT
Wanted to add that it’s great that you are all helping. Sounds like he’s had a rough past.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 24, 2019 5:36:00 GMT
Have him contact the Division of vocational rehab. They may be able to help him get training or get a job.
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 24, 2019 5:37:03 GMT
Did he have an IEP in school? Was he connected to a SWAP type program?
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Post by peanutterbutter on Jun 24, 2019 5:42:47 GMT
Is there something like a career link program or an Office of Vocational Rehabilitation that you can start with for him? If you're not sure what exist in your area, the local unemployment office may also be a place to start for pointing you towards career programs. The local Community College may have resources or may be able to provide assessments and evaluations for him. Is he interested in working to obtain his GED?
If he does not have health insurance definitely find your local Department of Public Welfare or whatever it may be called in your state to apply for Medicaid for him.
If he is living with his sister he may or may not qualify for SNAP benefits. Does he receive SSI?
If he has any sort of mental health or intellectual disability diagnosis diagnosis it may be worth looking into local Case Management Services for him as they may be able to help link him with these resources as well.
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Post by cecilia on Jun 24, 2019 6:07:00 GMT
I wonder if the jobs program through goodwill could help him? I second this. If they can't they may know what organization could help. Goodwill Arkansas also offers a charter school for adults to get a high school diploma. So they possible could help with education too in some way. Arkansas Rehab Services paid for some of my college tuition. ($1000 a semester for 3 years). I would check with your state Rehab (or similar) office if they could assist with educational fees or some sort of training. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:52:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2019 6:14:14 GMT
I see others have already suggested your state's occupational rehabilitation services. If he doesn't qualify there they will have good leads on where he is qualified for help.
They can also point him on where to go to get his GED so he can say he does have the equivalent of a HS education... and he can use it to go on to college if he decides to do that some day.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jun 24, 2019 20:00:18 GMT
I don't have any suggestions for you. I am glad that you are going to try to help him.  |
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Post by delila on Jun 24, 2019 20:23:56 GMT
I wonder if the jobs program through goodwill could help him? I was going to suggest the same. delila |
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ashley
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,571
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Post by ashley on Jun 24, 2019 20:28:19 GMT
What about some good clothing and shoes. Most likely you could find stuff second hand. Looking presentable makes a big difference in first impressions.
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Post by shevy on Jun 24, 2019 20:28:52 GMT
Try the Volunteers of America : www.voa.org/Also contact your local county human services/social services department. They should have some referrals for him, help with services that the community may provide in your area. |
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Post by elaine on Jun 24, 2019 20:37:36 GMT
When does he turn 22? He doesn’t age out of special education until he turns 22 in Arizona.
While he is 21, I would contact his local public school district. They will/should have connections to local work-training and rehab organizations in the area.
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Post by hop2 on Jun 24, 2019 21:34:29 GMT
We met a young man today (age 21). He was removed from his home as a young child but not before being injured by his parents, so one hand has permanent restrictions. He was adopted but that mom died when he was in 4th grade. Apparently, dad just shut down after that and the kids sort of fended for themselves. He has no education higher than 4th grade. He’s fended for himself for basically the last decade. From my interaction with him, he is fully mentally present, just uneducated. He now lives with his adult sister and is trying to make a go at life. I understand that his siblings struggle too. He's trying to find full-time work but his options are limited because he can't do heavy manual stuff (which requires less formal education) due to his injury and his education level limits a lot of other possibilities. Right now he's bagging groceries part time. My DH is connecting him to other business owners to try to help with that. But he needs mentoring, coaching on how to interview, education, and coaching on how to do life in general. My DH and other guys from church are going to do what they can but he needs professional help too, to access services. Are there any organizations that offer any of these kind of things? Or companies that have good entry programs or job training? I'm not exactly sure where to start. He's no longer "in the system" due to his age, but how he got this far without some intervention is beyond me. I suppose he can get on need-based food assistance and health insurance (though he did not mention those among the things he needs). It flabbergasts me that the systems and people could have failed this young man so many different times and ways. Thanks for any ideas. In my state the unemployment office actually offers services to everyone not just those on unemployment. After staying at home for more than a decade I took several resumes & interview workshops there free. I just needed to be a resident of the state and sign up for my spot & show up |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:52:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2019 23:20:40 GMT
This is all so helpful and you all have given many ideas I would not have considered or even known about.
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Post by teacherlisa on Jun 24, 2019 23:24:07 GMT
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luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,788
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
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Post by luckyjune on Jun 24, 2019 23:53:16 GMT
If he decides to get his GED, it would be great to offer support (tutoring in subjects he finds difficult, helping to study). It seems like having someone who is in his corner as he goes through what can be an overwhelming process, would be comforting.
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on Jun 25, 2019 0:15:34 GMT
Did he have an IEP in school? Was he connected to a SWAP type program? I doubt anyone ever invested enough time in this poor young man to advocate for an IEP. He only made it to 4th grade and is now an adult. He has aged out of school. Are there special programs available for adults who had IEP's as children? (I ask out of genuine curiosity. Sorry if that sounded snarky.) |
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Post by danalz on Jun 25, 2019 0:53:44 GMT
Have him contact the Division of vocational rehab. They may be able to help him get training or get a job. This! They help with so many vocational areas, including job training and vocational evaluations. |
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 25, 2019 1:36:38 GMT
Did he have an IEP in school? Was he connected to a SWAP type program? I doubt anyone ever invested enough time in this poor young man to advocate for an IEP. He only made it to 4th grade and is now an adult. He has aged out of school. Are there special programs available for adults who had IEP's as children? (I ask out of genuine curiosity. Sorry if that sounded snarky.) in my state we have SWAP- school to work alliance program. They are funded by the division of vocational rehab, but work specifically with kids on IEPs in high school through age 24 when DVR takes over. It is more hands on than just DVR. |
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on Jun 25, 2019 2:16:53 GMT
I doubt anyone ever invested enough time in this poor young man to advocate for an IEP. He only made it to 4th grade and is now an adult. He has aged out of school. Are there special programs available for adults who had IEP's as children? (I ask out of genuine curiosity. Sorry if that sounded snarky.) in my state we have SWAP- school to work alliance program. They are funded by the division of vocational rehab, but work specifically with kids on IEPs in high school through age 24 when DVR takes over. It is more hands on than just DVR. What a great program. I hope this young man has access to something similar. Thanks for replying! |
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Post by darkangel090260 on Jun 25, 2019 2:19:22 GMT
Get him into job corps. they will help him get a GED and a Trade.
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Post by stampinchick on Jun 25, 2019 5:24:53 GMT
Careerlink in AZ I'm currently unemployed for the 2nd time in the past 10 years and this has been a great resource. I know here locally in PA they do some job training and have sessions for people who have been incarcerated and are looking for jobs so they probably have something for those who are under-educated as well. Look around the linked website because it has links to more than just job postings.
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Post by lauradrumm on Jun 29, 2019 9:08:47 GMT
We met a young man today (age 21). He was removed from his home as a young child but not before being injured by his parents, so one hand has permanent restrictions. He was adopted but that mom died when he was in 4th grade. Apparently, dad just shut down after that and the kids sort of fended for themselves. He has no education higher than 4th grade. He’s fended for himself for basically the last decade. From my interaction with him, he is fully mentally present, just uneducated. He now lives with his adult sister and is trying to make a go at life. I understand that his siblings struggle too. He's trying to find full-time work but his options are limited because he can't do heavy manual stuff (which requires less formal education) due to his injury and his education level limits a lot of other possibilities. Right now he's bagging groceries part time. My DH is connecting him to other business owners to try to help with that. But he needs mentoring, coaching on how to interview, education, and coaching on how to do life in general. My DH and other guys from church are going to do what they can but he needs professional help too, to access services. Are there any organizations that offer any of these kind of things? Or companies that have good entry programs or job training? I'm not exactly sure where to start. He's no longer "in the system" due to his age, but how he got this far without some intervention is beyond me. I suppose he can get on need-based food assistance and health insurance (though he did not mention those among the things he needs). It flabbergasts me that the systems and people could have failed this young man so many different times and ways. Thanks for any ideas. Thank you for being kind and making the world better! |
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SharonScraps
Full Member
Posts: 144
Jun 27, 2014 23:36:35 GMT
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Post by SharonScraps on Jun 29, 2019 15:06:51 GMT
I have no experience with it, but Job Corps goes thru age 24. www.jobcorps.govThank you for helping this young man! Sharon |
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Post by rst on Jun 29, 2019 20:07:58 GMT
Does your area have educational re-engagement programs? Since his education stopped at grade 4, he would be quite remedial, but through one of these programs, he could have one on one teaching/tutoring to get through his GED and possibly even into community college. The program here is Seattle is very comprehensive and does an amazing job at removing whatever is a barrier to moving forward, whether it's getting documents for an emancipated minor whose family refuses to cooperate, or housing and employment for a single mom. They offer counseling, mental health services, job coaching-- full wrap around services. The program I am familiar with is open up to age 28.
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Post by Legacy Girl on Jun 30, 2019 3:37:38 GMT
In my state, you would call the state Job and Family Services Department or a Community Action Agency. Looks like AZ has Community Action, as well. Might be a good place to start and if they can't help, they could perhaps point you in the right direction. Thanks for looking out for this young man. Community Action |
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