 Church of the Incarnation Dallas Bar Association - Family Law Section Embrace Ministry ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program Greater Keller Women's Club Preston Trail Church Shriner's Circus The Links Inc. - Dallas Chapter Urban Hills Church Watermark Community Church |
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| | A few hours
of your time
can make the difference
of a lifetime. Be a MENTOR. e-mail Heather for more information. | | | | | Getting on your own TRAC on.your.own.TRAC training series teaches invaluable skills Youth visit UTA's Campus.  | To offer opportunities to experience life skills in action, as a follow up to PAL classes, TRAC offers a multi-county series of fun and interactive life skills "workshops" called on.your.own.TRAC. TRAC youth have broken out of the classroom to experience first hand some of the decisions they will need to make when they are on their own. These opportunities are offered all over North Texas in order to make them accessible to as many Juniors and Seniors as possible. Topics include: College 101, Life Decisions, Housing/Transportation, Financial Literacy and Employment. Field trips to campuses, apartment complexes and car dealerships give youth invaluable and practical life skills. TRAC is very thankful for the various individuals, organizations and businesses that partnered with us to make this series a success! Over 100 youth participated in on.your.own.TRAC this spring. For summer offerings, please contact Tameka Caldwell, tameka@traconline.org, (214) 370-9300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (214) 370-9300 end_of_the_skype_highlighting x23. Space is limited. Thank you to on.your.own.TRAC Spring 2010 Partners! Anthem Strong Families Arrow Child & Family Ministries CarMax Arlington/Fort Worth Freedom Chevrolet in Dallas Nichols Ford of Fort Worth Roseland Community Center Teen Lifeline Texas Baptist Home for Children UTD Alternative Spring Break Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas
Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County |
| Transitional housing takes stress out
TRAC offers transitional and permanent supportive housing
Ashby Commons, TRAC's Transitional Housing Apartments.  | For youth leaving foster care, finding safe, stable and affordable housing can be a stressful challenge. TRAC operates a flexible transitional housing program (up to 18 months) that is a great option for former foster youth, ages 18-24, who would like support and assistance as they build a bridge to life on their own. TRAC transitional apartments are conveniently located near downtown Dallas and DART, an ideal situation for those attending college or working anywhere in the Metroplex. Youth first share an apartment and then move to their own one-bedroom apartment once they demonstrate they are ready for that responsibility. Initially, all living expenses are paid, then rent is subsidized for independent living apartments. TRAC also has resident advisors and coaches who are there to help when needed. To apply for TRAC housing, contact Desi Cohn, desi@traconline.org; 214.370.9300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 214.370.9300 end_of_the_skype_highlighting x24. |
Links to food and fun The Links, Inc. provide Monthly Member Dinners for foster care alumni Once a month, foster care alumni gather at TRAC for an evening of fellowship, fun and food! These "Monthly Member Dinners" have been a great opportunity for youth to enhance their life skills and cultural experiences in a casual, non-threatening environment. In February, financial literacy was the focus, with experts offering tips on how to avoid identity theft and how to prepare a realistic budget. In March, youth heard about various training opportunities at local community colleges, including El Centro College and the BJ Priest Campus. Most recently, the youth visited the Dallas Museum of Art.  These events have been graciously sponsored this year by contributions and volunteers from The Links, Inc. - Dallas Chapter. We are so thankful for their partnership! For the summer, TRAC will change to lunchtime format. If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring TRAC Community Lunches, please click here for more information. |
| Welcome new staff members! Meet our new Mentor Services Manager and Career Coach. Heather (R) & Hazel (L)  | Heather Hobson joined TRAC as the Mentor Services Manager in January. She came to TRAC from Arrow Child and Family Services where she had been a foster care case manager. Heather brings an understanding of the foster care system, a love of youth and passion for helping teens make a successful transition to adulthood. When asked what she has enjoys most about her new role at TRAC, she says, "I love that I get to see youth on a daily basis, hear about their lives, as well as, help find supportive and caring adults to place into their support systems." Heather will complete her Masters in Social Work at UT Arlington in December. Hazel Davis, TRAC's Career Coach, joined out TRAC family in April. Hazel connects TRAC youth to higher education and the world of work. She is TRAC's liaison to the four Texas Workforce Boards in North Texas, making sure that our youth take advantage of job training and summer job opportunities. Hazel teaches job readiness skills and builds relationships with local businesses that will provide job opportunities for youth. She also organizes visits to college campuses and helps youth register for college and vocational schools. Hazel comes with eight years of experiences as a job recruiter and with fifteen years in management. Despite this difficulty job market, Hazel is excited to help TRAC youth build strong foundations for their careers and to get them on track to liveable wage jobs. "My many years of experience working and volunteering with at-risk youth propels me to be ever more vigilant in my determination to make an impact in their lives," she says. Hazel has two teenage daughters; one graduates this spring and will attend Baylor University in the fall. |
| | | | Thank you to each of you for your continued support and partnership with TRAC. With your help, last year we were able to serve 843 unduplicated youth. This year, we are working diligently so that even more young people coming out of the foster care system have opportunities to become independent, contributing citizens by realizing their full potential as they transition toward youth adulthood. Whether you are a donor, a volunteer, Mentor, or partnering agency member, please know that we can not do this without you. Katie Anderson Community Outreach Manager |
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