PRIDE Center

The Preparation and Resources for Independence through Determination with Excellence (PRIDE) Center has been developed as a comprehensive one-stop resource center in El Paso, Texas. At the PRIDE Center, current and former youth in foster care between the ages of 16-25 can access a variety of services and growth opportunities as they work towards independence and self-sufficiency. The end goal is to empower these young people to fully realize their potential as they transition to adult life.

Background/Problems

The statistics for foster youth that “age out” of the child welfare system are bleak. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the lives of former foster children often are flawed by poor education and employment prospects, early parenthood, poverty, homelessness, criminal behavior, mental illness and health problems. In Texas, nearly 900 foster care children in the state’s care “age out” each year. Statistics for youth aging out of foster care indicate that 25% will become homeless and less than 20% will be self-supporting 4 years after leaving care. Roughly 50% will report using illegal drugs, will not earn a high diploma and will fail to hold a full-time job.

Eligibility

The Pride Center primarily serves youth between the ages of 16-25 who live within the El Paso service area and who are:

• Currently in foster care;

• Aging out of foster care;

• Formerly in foster care but still in need of assistance;

• Foster youth on probation or parole; and

• Foster youth released from a juvenile correctional facility

Services

On site services include:

• Case management;

• Access to education and financial aid planning through El Paso Community College, UTEP and the Satellite Go Center: this includes help staying in school, help returning to school, help attaining a high school diploma/GED, Information on the federal Education Training Voucher (ETV) program and state tuition fee waivers, and assistance in entering apprenticeship/community colleges/four-year colleges;

• Employment assistance, referral and job readiness preparation through Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande;

• Resources to obtain affordable housing;

• Life skills training-such as money management, credit management, consumer life skills, educational and employment preparation, accessing community resources, parenting skills, problem solving, domestic violence and decision making;

• Circles of Support conferences;

• LGBTQ resources;

• Mental health resources & referral;

• Substance abuse treatment resources & referrals;

• Access to computer lab and email;

• Food Pantry;

• Clothes closet;

• Peer-to-peer mentoring;

• Access to mail boxes;

• Limited financial assistance for bus passes, rent, utilities, and child-care and/or assistance to obtain food stamps and TANF; and

• Access to crisis intervention, including a 24 hour crisis hotline.

Youth Participation

The PRIDE Center is youth driven and youth led and therefore youth are invited and encouraged to participate in the development of all facets of the PRIDE Center. Youth may currently participate in the Youth Advisory Board, the youth enterprise project, Girls Circle/Boys Circle, 65th Children’s Model Court Teen Initiatives committee, along with helping to plan future PRIDE Center services and events.

Funding

The PRIDE Center is funded by the Texas Workforce Commission and works closely with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. El Paso Human Services, Inc. continues to seek other funding sources for the PRIDE Center for expansion of services. Donations are also accepted.

Partners/Stakeholders

El Paso Human Services, Inc. has partnered with the following organizations and/or businesses to develop the PRIDE Center: Youth and alumni of foster care, 65th District Court, Child Protective Services Region 10, Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande, El Paso Community College, PUENTES LGBT Resources, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Foster Parent Association, Pinnacle Social Services, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Nonprofit Enterprise Center, United Way, West Texas Food Bank, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Lutheran Social Services of Southwest, El Paso Center for Children, Bair Foundation, A World for Children, Casey Family Programs, Wells Fargo representatives, Planned Parenthood, Border Children’s Mental Health Collaborative, and the Youth Initiatives Program of the El Paso Police Department. Other individuals and area businesses have also donated time and/or services. EPHSI values the assistance of all the partner organizations and individuals, but most important is that of the youth and alumni of foster care, who have helped to make the PRIDE Center a youth led and youth driven center. Partner/Stakeholder meetings are held three times each year.

Location and Contact

PRIDE Center is located at 820 Montana St., El Paso, Texas 79902. Phone number: (915) 533-4200. Fax (915) 533-4233.

Youth in the GO Center Lab

Youth playing basketball at Houston Park adjacent to the PRIDE Center

Youth at the PRIDE Center Grand Opening

Geylen Martinez speaking at the Youth Initiative Program meeting