Workforce Challenge 

Shavae Mann arrived at Youth Opportunity (YO!) Baltimore in October, 2009, with a long history of difficulties. In 2004, when she was 13 years old, her mother left her and her twin brother home alone and never returned.

Workforce Solution

Eventually, Shavae connected with the Department of Social Services (DSS) and was placed in foster care through Woodbourne, a nonprofit organization that serves neglected children in Maryland. Shavae began attending regular counseling sessions and receiving treatment for depression and a sleep disorder. Because she often interacted destructively with the other young people in the program, she and her counselors realized that a traditional school would not be the best fit for her. Her DSS case manager connected Shavae to the Westside YO! Center, where she was assigned an advocate to provide case management services while she continued her weekly counseling sessions through Woodbourne. In addition, Shavae began bi‐weekly counseling sessions with the YO! mental health clinician. Through YO!, Shavae completed job readiness training and expressed an interest in an internship to gain work experience. Together, she and her advocate created a work plan that included GED preparation classes and an internship at the Cherry Hill Family Life Center’s medical records office. The supervisors there were so pleased with Shavae’s work ethic and performance, they recommended her for hire. Shavae feels that YO! helped her work through her personal issues within a supportive environment. “I had a lot of trust issues,” Shavae stated. She needed the consistency of caring adults to help her navigate obstacles and keep moving toward her goals.

Outcomes & Benefits

After earning her high school diploma in 2011, Shavae is now majoring in business administration at Baltimore City Community College. Once she earns her degree, Shavae’s goal is to complete cosmetology school and open her own beauty salon. She has enrolled in driver’s education classes and is saving up to begin living independently.