Youth Empowerment for Success supports teens, young adults
So’o Poumele with teens at Washington United Youth Center
For at-risk teens living in gang-impacted areas of San Jose, Washington United Youth Center is a safe place for all to participate in recreational activities while learning positive life skills and getting support to achieve their goals and dreams. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County operates a wide range of community outreach at the Center, including the Youth Empowerment for Success (YES) program that for more than 20 years has specifically worked with gang-impacted youth and young adults. In addition to gang influence, many teens in the YES program struggle with truancy and substance abuse.
Catholic Charities is honored this year to have the Washington United Youth Center be among the organizations chosen by The Mercury News’ for their Wish Book holiday campaign to support local charities. Read our story online.
So’o Poumele, who has worked with youth in the program for 23 years, has seen hundreds of youth who’ve turned their lives around but says it doesn’t happen overnight. He points out that teens are typically with the program for several years. “They’ve become disengaged—we help them connect back to their communities, schools and resources.”
The staff’s approach is holistic, combining recreational and social with support services in a safe space including:
• “Street outreach,” going into gang hot spots and hosting social events, like cookouts, and inviting youth to participate at WUYC
• Late night gym hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with transportation provided
• Life Skills and Substance Abuse groups in schools
• Case Management to help teens and their families navigate the resources available through the Center as well as at Catholic Charities and other community programs
“‘Our teens use the word ‘coexist’ to describe what happens at the Center,” said James McCaskill, Senior Director, Catholic Charities Community Advocacy & Family Supports. “It’s a place of peace, transformation and envisioning a world beyond the neighborhoods they live in.”
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At Catholic Charities sites around the county, we are offering families more than just a one-time, single service. Our goal is to provide families a path to achieve economic mobility and tools to help left themselves out of poverty. And we are with them on their journeys every step of the way.
