2021 COMBAT Mid-Year Funding: $43,908.00

in Sisters In Christ's Own Words

Sisters In Christ has served as the coordinator of the Jackson County COMBAT Raytown STRVIN’ Resource Hub (Safe Zone) for the past two years. Currently, the Safe Zone program involves two main initiatives: 1) Empowering parents of middle school students to develop healthy parenting skills and self-sufficient lifestyles, and 2) Empowering middle school students through culturally relevant in-school and after-school programs to value academic achievement and violence-free lifestyles.

The 2021 Youth Life Link Project is an expansion of Sisters In Christ’s Safe Zone program.

Youth Life Link expands Safe Zone programming to include year-round employment and workforce development opportunities for at-risk youth, ages 13 through 17. Through co-ed athletics and community gardening, at-risk youth will be exposed to, develop and increase their skills in personal responsibility, leadership, teamwork, academics, and community responsibility—all of which are foundational for violence-free and self-sufficient lifestyles. Youth Life Link will offer employment at a rate of $10 to $12 per hour and $100 to $400 workforce development stipends for up to 50 youth.   

Youth Life Link will engage youth in job opportunities, as well as delinquency prevention activities and services. Program participants are boys and girls (ages 13-17) who have been identified as Tier 2 youth.

Tier 2 youth are on the fence of going into the juvenile justice system or being led back in the right direction. Youth will be identified by referrals.

The program will provide job readiness and on-the-job-training skills, including…

• computer literacy;
• communication skills;
• financial and budgeting skills;
• conflict resolution;
• parenting classes;
• drug prevention classes;
• resources for housing assistance;
• college readiness and tutoring;
• a balance between responsibility and recreation, and gender specific training, i.e. hygiene and etiquette.

We expect to keep participants safe, inspire them to learn, and improve their financial outlook and possibilities.

Participants will discover a trade that they are skilled in and how to enhance the trade.

Participants will learn the logistics of starting a business and how to be successful.

Participants will learn positive work ethics and responsibility, teamwork, and problem solving.

Participants will experience healthy interaction with parents, guardians and others.

Graduates of the program will be encouraged to give back and be an inspiration to other youth by mentoring.