Programs
Learning about the cost of owning a car
Independent Living Skills Classes
LIFE Skills Foundation facilitates Independent Living (IL) Skills Classes for teens and young adults ages 15-18 and 19-22. Classes are held in the Fall and Spring. The IL Classes cover topics including resume building, interviewing skills, budgeting, completing apartment applications, learning about lease agreements, healthy communication skills, sex education and consent. The IL groups are open to Carolina Outreach and LIFE Skills clients, as well as youth in the community. We partner with community organizations who are frequent guest speakers to the groups. Dinner is provided at each class, along with Go Durham bus passes, snacks, and gift card drawings.
Clients live in their own apartments
Transitional Housing program
LIFE Skills Foundation operates a small housing program, primarily consisting of six two-bedroom apartments located in central Durham. The transitional housing program is geared toward youth 18 and older who have aged out of the DSS Foster Care system and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. LIFE Skills housing provides a safe and secure, hands-on opportunity for young adults to learn and practice independent living skills, and to eventually transition into their own stable housing. Youth in the transitional housing program are either in an educational program or employed at least 30 hours per week. They meet with LIFE Skills staff weekly to work on their personal goals, and also contribute 30% of their income toward a savings account. Practicing day-to-day skills, such as cooking, grocery shopping, living with a roommate, budgeting, and household management are crucial components of the Transitional Housing Program.
A client opens the door to his first apartment
independent housing program
LIFE Skills recognizes that the transition to independence doesn’t end when a young person signs a lease for their first apartment. Many will continue to need guidance and financial assistance as they gain experience living independently.
LIFE Skills provides help with the housing search as well as financial assistance as-needed for housing applications, security deposits, and first month’s rent for clients who are moving from our Transitional Housing Program to their own apartment. We also provide emergency financial assistance for utilities and rent to clients who are already living independently in order to prevent evictions and late fees.
LIFE Skills staff
Mental Health program
When young adults walk through our doors, we understand that they carry a story and a history with them. The youth who are a part of LIFE Skills Foundation are resilient and brave, having overcome many challenges and difficult experiences in their lives. Our mental health programming is trauma-informed and tailored to meet the individual needs of each participant.
At LIFE Skills, every person is provided with a confidential clinical mental health assessment and substance use screening. Youth create personal goals for themselves, and are encouraged to participate in weekly individual counseling our Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. LIFE Skills offers person-centered and evidence-based therapies, which can include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
LIFE Skills staff celebrate a client’s graduation
education & employment program
LIFE Skills’ career services include one-on-one counseling with our Education & Employment Specialist, soft skill development, resume building workshops, access to career exploration activities, and more. Young adults in the Education & Employment program work with staff to assess their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and develop an action plan. Staff will also help participants to identify and address barriers to success such as lack of a high school diploma or underlying mental health challenges.
Comparing items at the grocery store.
Wraparound Supports
Imagine being 18 years old and living on your own for the first time, and no one has ever showed you how to do laundry, or grocery-shop, or make a doctor’s appointment. This is the experience of many of the transition age youth entering LIFE Skills Foundation’s program. Our Transition Specialists meet one-on-one with each young person to provide guidance and hands-on learning for crucial daily skills such as making and keeping medical appointments, opening a bank account, grocery shopping and cooking, and applying for Medicaid and SNAP benefits. LIFE Skills also partners with multiple other local agencies to provide additional wraparound supports and resources. Working with our collaborative partners and a Transition Specialist offers unique and tailored support to youth, who are then empowered to advocate effectively for themselves as they navigate into adulthood.
Referrals
Due to the high volume of referrals, we are only able to consider referrals from established community partners at this time. As well, referrals need to be local to Durham County. If you have questions about this process please email referrals@lifeskillsfound.org.