Drive Change serves justice-involved youth ages 18 to 25 in New York City’s community districts that experience high rates of justice-system involvement. Drive Change’s programming allows participants to gain professional experience in the hospitality sector and eases their transition back into society through several program offerings to reach youth with diverse lived experiences. The Fellowship Program is a four-month paid internship program for formerly incarcerated youth that prepares them to enter full-time hospitality work by teaching culinary skills and leadership development with a healing-centered curriculum. Staff at Drive Change noticed that some Fellows may struggle with substance-abuse disorders, which hinders their progress and can interfere with other Fellows’ development. With this grant, Drive Change will hire an external consultant to train staff on how to approach Fellows struggling with substance abuse. Staff will work with the consultant to create an annual organization-wide training plan that includes compassionate care for Fellows with substance-abuse issues.
With this grant, Drive Change will hire an external consultant to train staff on how to approach Fellows struggling with substance abuse.
