The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin is helping to increase support for young people of color by awarding 20 Texas nonprofit organizations $54,000 each over two years to participate in the Pathways for Success for Transition-Age Youth of Color and their Families (PST) project.
These awards, in partnership with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, will support Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color (BIPOC)-led organizations with a history of providing innovative, community-based, and culturally relevant programs and resources for young people of color as they transition into adulthood.
Funds will be used to launch or expand existing services that support the mental health and well-being of transition-age youths (14-24 years) of color and their families (TAYCF) during this particularly challenging time of COVID-19, other race-related trauma and injustice.
"Strengthening the mental health and well-being of youths of color and their families during the pivotal transition into young adulthood is central to increasing their opportunities for success," said Vicky Coffee, director of programs at the Hogg Foundation. "We're honored to support BIPOC-led organizations who have experience and a commitment to supporting BIPOC youths and their families."
Programs and resources will bolster youths' independent life skills relating to self-care, healthy relationships, personal safety, nutrition and cooking, personal, social and emotional growth, problem solving and decision making, awareness and access to community resources, or other avenues of their choice. Another goal is to prepare young people for future leadership and for taking control of their destinies.
"The Hogg Foundation is committed to taking action that addresses the negative impact of long-term racial trauma, oppression and stressors on people of color," said Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation. "The services and support offered by these grant partners will play an important role in promoting mental health and well-being of BIPOC youths and communities across Texas."
The Pathways to Success for Transition Age Youth of Color and their Families grant partners are:
- African American Youth Harvest Foundation, Supports and Opportunities for Transition-Age Youth of Color and their Families, Austin
- Amala Foundation, Circle Up Youth Support Program, Austin
- BRAVE Communities, Brave Makers, Austin
- Center for Urban Transformation, Youth Leadership Program, Houston
- Change Happens, Each One of Us Pathway, Houston
- Ciudad Nueva Community Outreach, The Alcance Initiative, El Paso
- Communities in Schools of San Antonio, Project WRAPP: Wraparound Retention and Persistence Program, San Antonio
- Dallas City Temple (CTCDC/DCT), Project TeenTime, Dallas
- Family Roots for Life, Inc., Wraparound Mental Health Services and Support for Transition-Age Youth of Color and their Families, Richmond
- Harmony Community Development Corporation, Harmony Youth Empowerment Services, Dallas
- Helping Others Prioritize Education, Connecting Cass County, Dallas
- HYPE Freedom School, HYPE is Helping Young People Excel, Houston
- Just Do It Now, Inc., Addressing the Mental Health of Youth of Color, Wharton
- Kingdom Mercy Missions International (KMMI), Minding the Gap, McKinney
- Light and Salt Association, To Engage, Establish, Equip, and Empower Transition-Age Youth in the Houston Asian American Community, Houston
- People with Ideas of Love, Liberty, Acceptance and Respect (PILLAR), Youth Empowerment Project, Laredo
- Teens Grounded, Teens Grounded Leadership Academy, Victoria
- The University of Texas at San Antonio, Rising Runners, San Antonio
- S. Dream Academy, Inc., Scott Street Neighborhood Impact Project, Houston
- Wiley College, B-WOW (Bettering the Wellness of Women), Marshall
