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While emancipated foster youth have some support from others in the form
of housing, college scholarships, and other services, JIT's extended family
model of programs coupled with connection to volunteer JIT Champions
ensures that our youth stay on the path to self-sufficiency. JIT recognizes the
need to have lifelong relationships with caring adults, to obtain an
education and launch a career, to learn fiscal management, save and build assets,
and to acquire basic needs such as the setting up of a household and the
purchase of a vehicle. As the current statistics show us, any delays in
meeting these minimal yet essential needs can result in a far greater cost to
our community.
Accountability: When emancipated foster youth are accepted into a JIT program, they must maintain standards of eligibility and they must agree to three conditions: a) to complete the JIT Financial Fitness training, b) to accept the assistance of at least one JIT Champion, and 3) to fill out and return a survey each year until they have graduated from JIT.
For program funding, we rely on donations from the general public and grants.
Emergency/Basic Needs Program provides immediate financial support in emergency situations that may include rent money, bus passes, gas cards, interview clothing, and vehicle repair. We also provide youth with grocery gift cards for immediate food relief.
My First Home Program provides gently used and new furnishings for a youth's first home and organizes community volunteers to help with the actual setup.
College Bound (Educational) Program provides former foster youth with a volunteer mentor, computers, software, printers, additional tech tools, books and school supplies, basic furnishings for dormitory rooms or college apartments, and school supplies. We also offer budget guidance and tips on legal matters at the College Bound award ceremony.
Career Bound (Vocational) Program provides former foster youth with up to $500 of vocational and education tools as well as the opportunity to connect with a Just in Time mentor. We celebrate their award with their sponsors and members of the community at Spring into Success each year.
Financial Fitness Program provides financial training and a ‘matched savings” program.
Mentoring/JIT Champions provides volunteer assistance to youth based on area of help they need: My
First Home Guides, Asset Advisors, JIT Faculty, Life Skill Coaches, and
Career Mentors.
Collaborations:
JIT’s strategic alliances include community organizations such as Soroptimists, as well as key partners such as Sleep Train, the San Diego County Office of Education, Casey Family Programs, Union Bank, United Way, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, and Change a Life. JIT is also supported by a unique collaboration of private and government entities, including San Diego Youth and Community Services, South Bay Community Services, San Diego County Home Program, San Pasquale Academy, Voices for Children, Promises 2 Kids Foundation Scholarship Program, San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Independent Living Services (ILS), Access Program, YMCA Youth & Family Services, a myriad of group homes, and colleges and universities throughout the county. In addition to our valued partners, several local media outlets such as NBC have agreed to donate thousands of dollars of airtime to promote JIT in conjunction with its commercial sponsors. This high profile community education campaign will raise awareness of the enormous task facing our most vulnerable citizens.
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