Coachman Family Center
Homeless Youth Staying On Track
School-Age Programs
When families become homeless, it is crucial that high-quality
youth services are available to ensure that children don't
fall behind in school, give up on themselves, and make self-destructive
decisions. At the Coachman, case managers make an educational
plan with each family within 24 hours of arrival, and students
are usually on the school bus and back in school the next
day. We monitor school attendance daily, and a dedicated
team of case managers and youth counselors works to ensure
that each young person is receiving appropriate services.
The
Coachman Family Center provides all resident school age
youth with on-site, age-appropriate academic, enrichment,
and recreational programs, including literacy instruction
and remediation, tutoring in core academic skill areas,
computer education, life-skills education, arts and music
activities, cultural heritage learning, sports, and community
service projects. Youth learn to take responsibility for
themselves and their environment, as well as how to best
use their individual strengths to set and meet goals for
the future.
The
Coachman Skills for Life teen program offers academic assistance
designed specifically for teens; an on-site, full-year employment
program where teens work in paid internships with adult
staff in the building; enrichment and exposure programs
at area colleges; college advising and SAT prep classes;
nutrition and cooking education; teen-specific arts instruction;
and wilderness excursions to build leadership skills.
Early Childhood Program
The
Coachman Family Center's Child Care Program offers a safe
and stimulating environment where parents may leave their
young children, ages two months through five years, while
they attend training programs, interviews, school, part-time
jobs, and other appointments.
The Child Care Room is staffed by caring adults and early
education is the most important function. It is equipped
with cribs, child-size furniture, age-appropriate toys and
books, and a variety of materials for creative artwork .The
staff members are calm and responsive to the children's
needs. Their consistent expectations and stable routines
provide the children with a welcome sense of security.
