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The Project PRIDE program is a comprehensive out-of-school youth program serving economically
disadvantaged, adjudicated, homeless, runaway, disabled, pregnant or parenting, and otherwise
qualified youth as defined by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), between the ages of 18 and 21
(and those 16 and 17 who have achieved a high school diploma or GED) who wish to become
economically self-sufficient, independent and productive community members.
Through individualized youth development, educational opportunities and occupational training
the program ensures that clients gain transferable skills to compete and achieve in the workforce.
The program involves leveraged partnerships with area community, faith-based, employment and
business organizations such as NHWORKS, the VFW, Rotary, Methodist Church, Chamber of
Commerce and Main Street programs and post-secondary educational institutions such as Smart
Assistive Technology Institute to ensure that clients obtain, develop and improve applicable skills
and ease transitions into employment and/or post-secondary training.

We also provide supportive services that include limited financial support and referrals to helping
organizations, guest speakers, field trips to broaden knowledge of occupational opportunities, class
discussion and various group and individual projects, as well as leadership skills, volunteer work in
the local community, exposure to voting rules, regulations, and procedures, and cultural education.

To participate in the Project PRIDE program students must have officially withdrawn from their
state-recognized public, private or home-based education program, and/or attained a high school
diploma or a GED certificate, and have identifiable barriers to employment. The program is
intended to respond to social, educational/occupational and economic problems such as low
self-esteem, under-achievement and poverty created by lack of employment opportunities and
work-based learning skills and marginal mastery of basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Following completion of the one year academic and occupational portion of the program, intensive
follow-up is provided for all students for an additional period of twelve months. This follow-up
program is intended to ensure client success in the workplace and/or post-secondary placement, as
well as to assist in identifying and helping to solve problems which present barriers to successful
employment and training.

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