Our Programs
Intensive Evidenced Based Mentoring
Our mentors help youth improve their self-esteem, increase their likelihood of engaging in positive health behaviors (such as reducing drug use and physical fights), and help them build trust and greater community cohesion. Evidence-based mentoring, in particular, bridges gaps in mental health for youth, especially those from marginalized communities. It is a way for youth to receive the support they need through challenging life situations and improve their resiliency.
Comprehensive Case Management
Comprehensive case management ensures youth can obtain support for the wide spectrum of their needs in one place, from housing, to healthcare, educational supports, to quality, nutritious food, and more. Comprehensive case management connects all providers to streamline care for youth, helping reduce wait times while connecting to and receiving services. For youth with trauma histories, comprehensive case management helps reduce the number of times they have to share painful stories, lowering their likelihood of experiencing re-traumatization. It also encourages collaboration between service agencies, which strengthens the continuum of care available to youth.
Substance Abuse Counseling
Substance use is a public health issue that disproportionately impacts youth from low-income households and leads to higher levels of stress and lower self-esteem, missed job opportunities, lower educational attainment, and more. Youth who engage in substance abuse may be more likely to make poor choices, drop out of school, and lose close family connections. Substance abuse counseling helps youth not only address the substance use itself, but also address the root causes of the substance abuse and provide youth with supportive outlets, healthy coping skills, and a wider community to connect with.
Mental Health Counseling
Certain youth groups are more likely to experience mental health crises than other, such as LGBTQ+ youth and biracial or mixed-race youth. AMCF Social Workers understand the impact of systemic discrimination and racism, poverty, and oppressive systems can be a saving grace for these youth, validating their experiences and providing them with proven techniques for building resiliency. Mental health counseling that is trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically appropriate can improve mental, behavioral, and emotional health in youth. Increased mental health can set youth up for success in educational settings, jobs, and in personal and professional relationships.
Emergency Housing Linkages
As rental and housing costs continue to soar across the country, finding safe, secure emergency housing placements remains of the utmost importance for youth, but especially those from vulnerable communities and low-income households. BIPOC youth are more likely to experience housing discrimination and live in substandard housing environments. Access to safe, stable emergency housing reduces a youth’s likelihood of experiencing violent crime, helps them hold space for engaging in educational opportunities, and keeps families together.
Clothing and Meals
No one can be their best self if they don’t have the basics – appropriate clothing and quality, nutritious food. Yet many youth from low-income households do not have access to these two necessities. Providing warm, appropriate clothing ensures youth remain healthy and can express themselves, showing up to school and work with confidence. Quality, nutritious food reduces a youth’s chances of experiencing chronic illnesses later in life, helps them focus, and stay physically strong and feeling their best.
Vocational Referrals & Placements
Vulnerable communities often have less access to vocational programming and placements than their higher-income peers. Connecting youth to vocational training and placements helps them gain hard skills, prepare for the workforce, and feel more comfortable and independent. Connecting BIPOC and other underserved communities to vocational programs also diversifies the workplace, which has proven, tangible benefits for all community members.
