Project's area of focus: Training and support are key for transitioning out of the foster care and juvenile justice systems.
Project Needs and Beneficiaries
Young women, particularly young women of color, are the fastest growing population in the juvenile justice system. They are disproportionately poor and over 75% have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. The lack of gainful and meaningful employment is the primary obstacle facing young women struggling to stay out of the criminal justice system and stabilize their lives. With limited education and the stigma of a criminal record, job prospects for these young people are dim.
Activities
Paid internships incorporate skills development, political education, community organizing and preparation for reintegration. The training prepares these young women for higher education and careers as consultants for public youth serving systems.
Expected Outcomes
The project creates new opportunities for 40 at-risk women looking for meaningful employment and support to heal from trauma. They successfully keeps young women out of the criminal justice system and offer jobs needed to support their families.
Project Message
"Being in the parenting classes has helped me not feel so alone. I also now have a job and I'm able to support my son."
- Terry Thomas, Program Participant
Project Contact
Shannon Farley,
Executive Director
2130 Fillmore Street #243 San Francisco, CA 94115
United States
4158198068
2130 Filmore Street #243 San FranciscoCA94115 United States
4158298068 Organization's Homepage
Organization's Mission
Spark seeks to build a community of young, global citizens who are invested in changing patterns of inequality that impact women throughout the world.
Organization's Programs
The Public Interest Law Center in Chad focuses on educating attendees and fomenting a process of community education and empowerment about their legal rights.
The Center for Young Women's Development San Francisco trains young women to speak to public officials to advocate for gender-responsive programming in the juvenile justice system.
Organization Statistics
Shannon Farley,
Executive Director
Founded in 2004
Employees: 2
Volunteers: 0
Personnel Overview
Marlene Sanchez - Executive Director
Marlene Sanchez came to the Center for Young Women's Development at 15 looking for a job and a way out of the juvenile justice system. She was hired as a community health worker and provided HIV/STD education and health supplies to young women who lived and worked in the street economies of San Francisco. She is currently the Executive Director of the Center serving young women in San Francisco.
Shanell Williams - Program Director
Shanell served on the Youth Commission for two years where she authored legislation and was a champion for the rights of low income, youth of color in the system. She received a Jefferson Award for her work as a youth advocate in 2005.
Venus Rodriguez - Sisters Rising Program Coordinator
Formerly homeless, Venus Rodriguez has been working in the non-profit sector in Oakland and San Francisco for over eight years. In 2002 she worked with Youth of Oakland United at PUEBLO (People United for a Better Oakland) and most recently helped create "Silence the Violence," a peace movement dedicated toward young people in Oakland encouraging them to vocalize their desire for peace.
