Outreach / Volunteer Services - Youth Development Program (Y.D.P.)
Also see: School Outreach Program (S.O.P.)
Recipient of Service:
Inspired high school students who want to increase their knowledge about themselves, society, and their peers who are in crisis, while giving of their service in assisting in the needs of the residents and staff.
Schedule:
Consistently Meeting on Monday nights for planning and training meetings. A minimum of four hours a month in service time plus night and weekend events.
Provider:
This group is facilitated by a full-time, paid staff of Casa Youth Shelter.
Provider Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications of Staff Counselors include enrollment in a graduate studies program leading to a degree of Masters in psychology, counseling, social work or a closely related field. Many Staff Counselors exceed the minimum qualifications by possession of a Masters degree and State of California registration as a Marriage Family Child Counselor Intern or are California Licensed as a Marriage Family Child Counselor. Currently the staff that runs it has a Doctorate of Psychology and is currently a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern.
Description of Service:
The requisites for working at Casa as a youth advocate are twelve hours of training. This involves familiarizing with the dynamics of victims of abuse, learning the basics of creative listening skills, knowing the necessity of adhering to confidentiality, and knowing the Casa rules. Some of the areas that advocates have worked: tutoring, receptionist, recreation supervisors, special event parties, auction event workers, publicity, and serving on the Board of directors.
Goals of Service:
To be active teen participants, making a difference in very responsible roles by developing their talents and discovering new ones while benefiting the Casa program. Confidence, self-esteem and maturity are concomitant benefits.
| Name | School | Position |
| Ryan Carnegie | Los Alamitos HS | President/Co-Chair |
| Florent Blanc | Polytech HS | President/Co-Chair |
| Joe Summers | Los Alamitos HS | Activities Director |
| Elizabeth Mejia | Millikan HS | Fundraiser/Activities Chair |
| Dianne Yost | Katella HS | Community Service Director |
| Wendy | Kennedy HS | Community Service Chair |
| Ximena | Los Alamitos HS | Casa Liaison |
| Victor Chalfant | Los ALamitos HS | Historian |
| Christian Salazar | Cypress College | Advisory Member: Activities |
| Sam Bowers | Cypress College | Advisory Member: Membership |
| Jake Gantz | Los Alamitos HS | Membership Director |