Equip yourself with the education, skills, and support needed for the jump into adulthood.
connectED serves people ages 16 to 23 within Bexar County who have had experience in foster care, even if reunification or adoption occurred.
We know that becoming an adult is hard and the transition into this new chapter of your life can have its challenges. We are here to make the change easier for you! We’ll support you in learning and practicing positive relationship skills and pursuing and keeping employment that you like so that you can have a strong foundation for the next phase of your life.
Earn a total stipend of $880 by participating in Phase 1 (Skill Development) and Phase 2 (Advocacy Support).
Need a ride? No problem! We can provide transportation to and from class.
Program Benefits
- Career guidance and planning
- Relationship-oriented Advocacy
- Peer collaboration
- Employment coaching
- Financial literacy improvement
- Mentorship
- 1:1 support from Advocate
- Self-confidence strengthening
- Relationship strengthening
- Weekly stipend and gift cards
What our youth are saying
Enrollment
We have partnered with UTSA to do a study of our program. All youth are eligible to start workshops once enrolled.
Start now!
Program Overview
Skill Development
The first phase of connectED focuses on skill development and is delivered through in-person workshops taught by our connectED Facilitators. Our facilitators offer expertise in healthy relationship development and in trauma-informed intervention, where they create a safe space to learn and be yourself. Each of our workshops is perfectly curated to help you with various components that make up your future.
This phase of our program can last one to three weeks, depending on how many workshops you choose to take. Each week that you participate, you will earn up to a $220 stipend. Daily meals are offered for each workshop session – you have the option to choose your meal from a variety of local San Antonio restaurants. You will also receive a goodie bag with all your workshop materials, a weighted blanket, a large reusable water bottle, and various snacks.
connectED Associate Program Director Andrea shares the skills you will develop through our workshop offerings.
Workshop offerings
Love Notes
Learn about healthy relationships, effective communication, relationship success and how your personality traits play a big role in the way we communicate. In this workshop we cover relationship strengths/ weaknesses as well as self-confidence.
Advocacy Support
This phase of connectED focuses on your individual needs, career coaching and planning, or establishing career goals based on what you’re looking for. During Advocacy Support you will have daily contact with a connectED Advocate who will help ensure that you are moving forward and meeting your goals. connectED Advocates mold the tasks to your goals and what you need.
Advocates use Kuder Career Planning to help you find meaningful employment and/or find a fulfilling career that you love. Advocates also offer support in guiding you towards overcoming any challenges.
Advocacy support covers a four-week period (one month). You will earn a stipend of $660 for your participation over the first three weeks. The curriculum includes career and financial planning tools.
Continued Mentorship
This phase of connectED provides you with peer support groups and events. The events are hosted by connectED and other partners. We cover topics that are relevant to the real-life challenges you may be facing.
connectED works in collaboration with Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) to offer presentations on how to open bank accounts, how to manage credit cards, how to build good credit, and Saving and Investing. Other events include topics on how to find housing and how to communicate with partners.
After completing your advocacy support period you will continue to meet once a month with your advocate and participate in group peer support. This phase lasts for 10 months.
Support as Needed
During your final phase of connectED, monthly meetings are no longer required. Your Advocate is available to meet with you as needed and will help you navigate school, applying for jobs, utilizing resources, and more. You are also invited to participate in monthly peer support groups to connect with other youth in the program and discuss issues relevant to you! This phase is ongoing and lasts until your 24th birthday.
Ready to start living your best life? Let's talk!