Play the Marrakech Express song that helped inspire the founding of Marrakech, Inc.:    
Thanks to Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills, and Nash for the use of this copyrighted material.

Work/Learn Center
Elm City Entrepreneurs

“Supporting New Haven’s youth as they strive toward self-empowerment.”

The Elm City Entrepreneurs (ECE), located at 526 Whalley Avenue in New Haven, are funded by two different programs within the state of Connecticut: The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Court Services Support Division (CSSD). ECE provides services for youth, ages fourteen to twenty-one, who are currently in or transitioning out of foster care or who are on probation. All youth must have permanent plans for placement within the city of New Haven or in the surrounding towns. Participants must be able to function independently in the community and within peer groups at the center with minimal supervision.

Each youth who is referred to the center is assigned a youth coach. The youth coach will work with the youth to determine what the youth’s goals are. From this, the youth and his or her coach will develop a plan to help reach the goals. The youth coaches also work in conjunction with the youth’s social worker or probation officer in order to provide a more complete array of services. The youth coaches will inform the social worker or probation officer of any service needs that arise while the youth is involved with the center.

At the center, the youth have the opportunity to join a youth business. The businesses are run out of the center, giving the youth the chance to experience employment in a safe and controlled environment while receiving a stipend. The businesses run in six to ten week cycles and offer at least four businesses for the youth to choose from. During this time the youth learn valuable employment skills such as, but not limited to: punctuality, accountability, listening to and following directions, and working with peers and business leaders. Throughout the week, Casey Life Skills groups are offered to all youth and focus on communication, social relationships, financial literacy, work and study skills, career planning, and work life. On-site tutoring is available for those with an educational goal.

After a youth has participated in the youth business, he or she may be promoted to a higher level within a youth business or be recommended for an internship. This internship will be based upon the youth’s individual career interests. The youth will receive a stipend from the ECE, but most importantly, will be exposed to the day to day workings within the field of their interest. The youth will be responsible for transportation to and from the internship.

Once a youth has successfully completed an internship, he or she may begin to look for community employment. In order to be referred to this phase of service, the youth must demonstrate the skills and ability to work independently in the community (mastery of life skills, good communication and vocational skills, transportation, etc.). The youth will work one-on-one with the ECE job developer to find employment. The job developer will provide assistance with filling out job applications and going on job interviews. Once the youth attains employment, he or she will be responsible for maintaining the job, although the job developer and youth coach will be available for support if needed.

Marrakech and the ECE offer the youth a wide array of services. A Youth Advisory Council has been created as a way to gain beneficial feedback from the youth that we serve. The youth meet once a month and are able to influence policy and financial decisions at the center. In addition, surveys are circulated to review satisfaction and to gather input from the youth.

We strive to provide the youth with every opportunity to learn the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their futures by lending them vocational, educational, and personal support during their challenging and formative teenage years. Each youth is respected and supported as they begin making the decisions that will impact them in the years to come.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Work/Learn Center, youth must be involved with DCF or Probation and be between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one. DCF will determine eligibility and refer youth for enrollment in the program.

For more information, contact:

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