Our Approach to College
and Career Development

GA’s approach to college and career development is based on our belief that each person has his or her God-given talent, and that if nurtured will help them to discover their purpose and path in life. Scripture tell us “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8)  and “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Our strategy focuses on providing individual-based support, including linkages to external resources, to increase youth access to practical opportunities needed to help them progress along their identified career pathway. This is done through the creation of Individual Academic Success Plans that provide a roadmap to success taking into consideration results of assessments to gauge interest, affinity, and aptitude. Youth are encouraged to imagine the possibilities and are presented with a plethora of opportunities for post-secondary success including:

• 2 and 4 year college and university
• Entrepreneurship
• Trade/vocational school
• Apprenticeship

We help eligible youth enrolled in various programs of Gang Alternative, Inc. to increase their access to college and career opportunities. This service is led by a College and Career Development Specialist who meets with youth on an individual basis to learn about their interests and to help them identify career pathways and barriers to success through various assessments.

Services include:

• Creation of Individual Academic Success Plans
• College Preparation (including assistance with preparing applications)
• Entrepreneurship Development
• Work Readiness Training
• Links to Vocational Training and Support Services
• Links to Internships and Apprenticeships opportunities

This service is a marriage of our Positive Youth Development and Workforce Development Pillars of Service.