Smooth Transtion Inc. Receives
2011 Best of Riverside Award by the U.S. Commerce Association and the 2011 Community Connect Award for Innovation for
the County of Riverside
Lindsey Mc Cafferty - A Smooth Transition
Success Story
MissionSmooth Transition, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)
3 which serves and empowers underprivileged at risk populations through life skills development, educational training,
vocational training and mentorship to prevent them from re-entering the foster and judicial system, repeating at risk, poverty
and homelessness cycles. The organization is supported by a dedicated and committed board of directors, volunteers, sponsors, educators and stakeholders.
Vision
Our vision is to provide
at-risk populations a gateway towards empowerment, educational and employment opportunities to lead a fulfilling, prosperous
and purposeful life.
So Why Are We Different?
There are many wonderful programs designed to help at risk populations in many
areas, and like them, we could never fill the entire void, but we can focus on one area of need. Based on the statistics,
we realized that one of the biggest gaps between these groups and their successful transition into society was in the
area of education and mentoring, which leads to higher levels of personal empowerment. As Romanelli, Hoagwood, Kaplan
and Kemp (2009) cite, "empowerment is a process which leads to an enhanced sense of self-competency, community, influence,
and skills development. Community support services can facilitate empowerment by providing services that enhance
self-competency and function in multiple ways" (p.2). Our niche is that we offer a mentoring program to these groups
that spans "academic remediation services and career education prior to high school graduation, assistance with higher
education (i.e., completing applications and finding scholarships), job training" and basic life skills (p.2).
Student Success Stories:
Our recent graduating students completed this college level 10 week intensive
program with great success. Here is what they had to say.....
Isaiah -
During the Smooth Transition program "I learned how to balance a checkbook, my personality type, how to research
jobs and careers and how to conduct myself during an interview. I learned that planning for the months helps you budget
your finances. The most valuable thing I learned was to budget my finances and research before I make any decisions.
After completing the program, I plan to go to community college and continue my education".
Jennifer
- While attending the Smooth Transition program, "I learned financial literacy, credit, life skills and also
how to socialize with others, which were very valuable. I plan to apply what I learned the first time I try to purchase
a car. Since taking the class, my plans changed from wanting to be a cosmetologist to wanting to be a nurse.
I now plan to go to RCC and Cal State San Bernardino for their nursing program"
Dontavius - After completing the Smooth Transition program,
" I have learned what I want in life and how to get it. I now know how to make a resume and how to interview.
I plan to use what I learned every chance I get and my mind is now open to new things. I also discovered that I would
like to be an attorney and plan to go to law school"
Yvette - "I
learned how to handle my credit and financial skills, which was the most valuable to me. I also learned career development
and life skills. When I started the program I wanted to get into cosmetology, but now I want to go to college and get
a degree in hospitality to become a convention planner. This program has boosted my confidence and I am now actually
interested in getting a job. I love this class!!"
Dmarcus - In class "I learned how to do a job interview
and application. The most valuable thing I learned was how to handle money in life. I plan to use everything I
learned right now and am thinking about a career as a cartoonist, artist, character actor or sports trainer. I do plan
to go to college after I graduate and I am glad I took this class"
Jessica - in the Smooth Transition program "I learned much about
financial literacy and about how to manage a budget and vocational, career and life skills. The most valuable thing
I learned was the financial skills because I now know how to be organized with money and how to budget it. I will now
pay close attention to interest rates and the possible consequences when I plan on buying anything like a car, house or select
a credit card. After taking the class I am planning on a career path as a forensic biologist and I was able to see what
career choices are really better for me, and which ones will work better according to my interests, skills and abilities.
After graduation I think I might start at community college and then continue to a university to pursue a degree in biology.
After this class I am now more aware of being able to accomplish a goal if I plan it. This was a great class and it was both
very educational yet fun"
Chris - in the class "I learned how to better my communication
skills and how to handle a job interview. The most valuable thing I learned was how to look for a career and find out
what you need to start it. Going forward I will look for a career using the methods I was taught. After taking
the class, the career I think I will pursue at this time is to become a barber and I plan to attend Marinellos School of Beauty
after I graduate. This class was very helpful!"
Beatriz - "I learned a lot in the Smooth Transition class.
The most valuable thing I learned was how to look up information and I plan to apply it in my job applications. My career
plans did change after taking the class and the career path I am now most interested in is psychology. I do intend to
go to college now after graduating."
Adrian - In the Smooth Transition program "I learned that life
has many opportunities. The most valuable thing I learned was interviewing skills and I plan to apply what I learned
when I am in interviews as well as when I am buying a house or managing my money. After taking the class, my career
plans did change and I discovered that I like psychology. I am now looking at various schools where I can study psychology.
I really enjoyed this class I it was an excellent program".
References:
Romanelli, L. H., Hoagwood,
K. E., Kaplan, S., Kemp, S. P. (2009). Best practices for mental health in child welfare: Parent support and youth empowerment
guidelines. Child Welfare. 88 (1). 189-219.
