New Program for Men Transitioning Out of Government Services Launched

A new program is launching within Carroll County that aims to help young men transitioning out of foster care or the juvenile justice system and into independence. The program, Manasseh House, which will be housed at the Silver Oak Academy at least to start, plans to offer these young men with transitional housing and individualized case plans to help them get on their feet after leaving the support of the government-run programs.

The Baltimore Sun reports:

Young men ages 18 to 21 accepted into Manasseh House — a fledgling nonprofit working in collaboration with the Carroll County-based Silver Oak Academy — will receive transitional housing and develop individualized plans to become self-sufficient by enrolling in college or the military or learning a trade.

They can stay in the program for up to two years, and while participating they must cook, clean, budget their expenses and provide community service.

Founder Gianna Talone-Sullivan said youths who leave government-run programs without family support are at risk of becoming homeless or ending up in jail. To start, the program will accept “one or two” young men graduating from Silver Oak, a private residential facility contracted by the state to educate and rehabilitate juvenile offenders, she said.

“When that ends, there is some uncertainty about what come next,” Talone-Sullivan said. “We want to make them independent. This is something to build their self-esteem and help them feel proud.”

…

Kevin McLeod, who runs Silver Oak, said the campus has the space and a structure to support Manasseh House. Declining to name one of the first young men to enroll in the new program, McLeod said Manasseh House will guide the youth on a path for success.

“He is a kid who is training to be a nurse — he wants to be a registered nurse — and has to have the ability in short order to take care of himself,” McLeod said. “He doesn’t have that home base to live in and save up and get the skills and then transition; he’s got to be able to do both.”

Read The Baltimore Sun to learn more.

Programs to help individuals get back on their feet and join the workforce will be discussed at the 2017 MACo Summer Conference session, “Second Chance for Workplace Success: A Good Program is Good for Your County.” Read more in the brochure (www.mdcounties.org/SC17RegistrationBrochure))

MACo Summer Conference is August 16-19, 2017 at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City Maryland. This year’s theme is “You’re Hired!”.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: