Friday the 13th to be a lucky day for transitioning youth

MODESTO, Calif. - Oct. 23, 2015 - PRLog -- On Friday, Nov. 13, the Stanislaus County Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) celebrates its grand opening. The public is invited to this event, taking place from 4-6 p.m. at the Aspiranet ILSP Youth Center, located at 1009 J Street, Modesto, California, 95354.

Aspiranet, a leading California human services agency, works closely in collaboration with Stanislaus County Community Services Agency (CSA) on the ILSP Youth Center in achieving its goals to assist ILSP and Emancipated Youth Services (EYS) eligible youth.

“The ILSP team is very excited about the opening of the ILSP Youth Center in Stanislaus County,” stated Nenita Dean, Manager IV of the Stanislaus County Community Services Agency.  “Aspiranet is a great organization to lead the youth center in achieving its goals. The youth center is a place where current and former foster youth and probation youth can find an integrated youth services and life skills training/activities that will assist them to successfully transition to adulthood. This is a place where adult staff partner with youth staff in shared leadership role thus providing leadership opportunities to youth. Youth will be engaged in all aspects of their transition plan. This is an environment where the youth can come to research and get information and resources about employment, education, housing, mental health services, physical health and nutrition, and other areas that the youth needs. It is youth focused and youth driven,” added Dean.

Eligible youth may stop by the Center with no appointment necessary. Alma Garcia Mendoza, ILSP Core Program Supervisor with Aspiranet says, “Aspiranet has the pleasure to work in collaboration with Stanislaus County CSA on the ILSP Youth Center. The center has only been open for a couple of weeks and we have already been able to see the positive impact this has had with our youth. In addition to coming weekly for Independent Living classes, many youth are coming in for assistance with resume building, applying for jobs and mentoring.  We have a very passionate team that works hard every day to guide our youth through a successful transition to adulthood.”

Members of the public that are interested in learning more information about the center and how to possibly help youth during transition to independence are invited to attend. The event will feature guest speakers, a youth art contest, where guests will help choose the winner, a ribbon cutting ceremony and refreshments.  A unique panel of former and current foster youth will share their opinions about the ILSP Youth Services, and information will be provided on how the public can get involved in supporting the Youth Center.