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50 For 50 #29: Two Long Years
This is the 29th in a continuing series of stories--one every day for 50 days--to conclude IKRON's year-long celebration of our 50th anniversary. Missed one? No problem! See the entire series on our news page here.
In 2004, IKRON won a grant to begin a separate program for Transitional Youth. This new program would help high school students and recent high school graduates gain work experience and the skills necessary to build self-sufficiency, independence, and employment, all skills that are critical for a smooth transition into the adult world.
One youth participant, *David, was an 18-year-old with a history of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder due to years of abuse and being in the foster care system since the age of 5 years old. When he came to IKRON, he had been told he would never graduate from high school due to his significant amount of disruptive behaviors. David joined the Transitional Youth Program and not only learned behaviors that would help him with obtaining employment, but he also got the support he needed to help him complete his high school credits. After two long school years and a grueling summer, David was able to complete all of his credit hours and begin the transition to job development to help with competitive employment. Because David was given the chance to work on not only his education, but also on his mental health, he was able to accomplish goals that he never thought he could.
*Not the participant's real name
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