HAY Center Foundation

The HAY Center Housing Continuum assists youth in finding and applying for safe, stable housing to meet their educational, employment, and mental health needs and goals. In addition to the HAY Center's wrap-around services, the youth participating in the Housing Continuum receive housing readiness, navigation, and case management services. The goal is that the youth will be prepared to obtain their own housing and live independently.Continued on Schedule Oo The Bridge Housing program provides youth with a rent-free place to live while participating in intensive case management, wrap-around services, and advanced life skills training. Youth work towards obtaining employment and/or training to gain marketable job skills while learning to live independently.o Housing Options: Housing vouchers through a public/private venture between the HAY Center, the HAY Center Foundation and local housing authorities, youth apply for housing vouchers through the local housing authorities. Navigation Services youth work with the Housing Navigator to locate affordable housing that fits their budget.o Rental/Utility Assistance: The HAY Center Foundation assists with the payment of deposits, first month's rent, utility assistance and rental expenses.o HAY Center Campus is being developed through another public/private venture. The Campus will consist of a housing and services complex specifically designed to meet the needs of transitioning youth. The Campus will further expand housing options at a location where youth can conveniently receive HAY Center services and participate in experiential training opportunities to promote independent living skills.

Youth Engagement and Enhanced Life Skills Workshops are centered around youth voice and provides youth the opportunity to interact with the HAY Center team, outside of case management services, and volunteers while learning much needed life skills. Enhanced life skills topics include financial literacy, job readiness, parenting, meal preparation, housing and other areas identified by our youth. Annual events include the following:Continued on Schedule Oo Thanksgiving Grab and Go: Youth stop by the HAY Center to pick up a holiday food bag, gift card and pie to be used for their own holiday meals. They enjoy lunch, snacks, and pie as they wait for their food bags to be made per their requests. This is a great time to visit with the HAY Center team.o Holiday Event held in December, this event is an opportunity for youth and their family of choice to celebrate the holidays at this fun-filled event. It provides youth the opportunity to connect with community members outside of the CPS system. The HAY Center and team step in to ensure that our youth enjoy this special time of the year.o Prom Readiness Event helps high school students in foster care prepare for their prom by providing an inventory of formal wear and accessories that the youth can select from free of charge. Matched with volunteer personal shoppers, youth are mentored through their shopping experience while learning life skills needed when attending special event.o Graduation Event A celebration of our youth's academic success. Youth are celebrated and provided gifts of household and education necessities to promote independent living success and prepare them for their next set of goals.o College Preparation Events - A series of activities and events to assist youth with college participation. During the summer, college information sessions and college tours along with information and training is provided to prepare youth for a successful transition to college or university.

The HAY Center Foundation's support of the Education and Workforce programs fills the gaps where public contracts do not allow funding. Youth receive support (books and fees, tuition, training, uniforms) to work towards and accomplish their education and employment goals.Education: College Tours allow juniors to explore their post-secondary education options, allowing for advanced planning ahead of graduation. College Bound Experience provides a simulated first day of college interactive event for youth leaving for college. Continued on Schedule OWorkforce: Job training and viable employment options are necessary for a youth's successful transition to independence. The HAY Center hosts a Summer Jobs Program, giving youth, 16 through 20 years old, the opportunity to participate in first-time employment and develop their soft skills with the support of the workforce team providing onsite case management. The Workforce Team also partnered with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to offer the Texas Works Paths to Success (TWPS) training at the HAY Center. The youth enters employment as Texas Works Advisor I with the State of Texas at the end of the training period. Financial Management workshops are provided to all youth participating in these employment programs.

The HAY Center Coaching Programs include Transition and Academic Coaching. The Transition Coaching program matches trained volunteers with youth preparing to "age out" of the foster care system. The coach assists youth in exploring options for education, employment, and housing. The goal of the program is for coaches to be someone outside of the system to provide support and keep the youth connected to the HAY Center's wraparound services. Academic Coaching focuses not only on subject matter tutoring services but also teaches executive functioning skills for youth in foster care.