The Youth Employment Program (YEP) of Support To At-Risk Teens (START) is an organization providing services to youth ages 18-21. The mission of YEP is to guide youth to achieve personal goals and prepare career paths through empowerment, education, and employment opportunities. YEP assists the entrance of youth into the work force by providing individualized instruction and a creative learning environment focused on basic education, self-sufficiency, job placement, and other issues relevant to youth since 1997. Today YEP collaborates with two other agencies to form the Youth One-Stop Center, successfully helping over 160 youth annually. The Youth One-Stop Center enables youth to move themselves out of poverty through the capacity building exercises offered over their enrollment period.

·          Workplace Skills—this training provides students with tools for a successful job search. Course work includes but is not limited to Work Ethics, Dressing for Success, Job Application, Resume Building, and Networking and Interviewing Skills.

·          Life–Skills Training—this training builds self-esteem, and instills positive lifelong values. Course work includes but is not limited to training in these areas, Self-esteem, Goal Setting, Personal Values, Problem Solving, Communication, Parenting, Drug and Alcohol Prevention, Sex Education, and Conflict Management.

·          Customer Service Training—this training leads to a nationally recognized certification by most retail stores. Skills learned in association with this coursework include but are not limited to principles of customer service and product identification.

Once youth have completed their training at YEP, most of them will enter a specific skills training program, and 85% of them will soon be employed. These trainings include the Certified Nursing Assistant Training and State Certificate Testing, provided by the Red Cross and Cuyahoga Country Community College. Other trainings include early childhood education, patient access (similar to database training), warehouse operations training, and Microsoft Office Certification.

YEP also works with the United Way to better accomplish its goals. Under this contract, youth must meet certain reading ability criteria, receive GED preparation, and complete the job readiness program to be able to attend the Red Cross training at no cost to them. After this additional training, they return to YEP for job placement services and regular follow-ups for one year.